Visible Channel

Introduction (Page 1 of 18)

Return to the previous menu.

This animation depicts the sun's energy as it is absorbed, scattered, and reflected by the earth's atmosphere and land surfaces. This graph shows a curve of solar emitted radiation plotted wavelength. 

The visible channel is in the region of the electromagnetic spectrum where the sun emits most of its energy. That incoming energy is attenuated by molecules, clouds, and aerosols. About 50% of the incoming energy is either reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere and re-emitted to space. The remaining energy reaches the earth’s surface where it is either absorbed or reflected.

Next  | Previous | Main Menu | Page:  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18