Electromagnetic solar radiation


		Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy
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	Electromagnetic solar radiation The Sun continuously emits two kinds of radiation: electromagnetic and corpuscular. Electromagnetic radiation provides light and warmth, but also consists of invisible radiation some of which can be harmful such as ultraviolet. Corpuscular radiation is made up of charged particles (ions and electrons) (Solar Wind) Energy from the Sun at the speed of light in the form of a wave Electromagnetic solar radiation is a phenomenon by which energy escapes from the Sun at the speed of light in the form of a wave. There are several types of radiation that can be expressed in terms of energy, wavelength or frequency (number of waves per second). The best known type of the spectrum is visible sunlight. In a rainbow, the solar rays are arranged according to their wavelength (see above illustration). From purple to red, the wave gets longer. The infrared, with a wavelength larger than the one of red, is not visible, but we feel its warmth. The ultraviolet (UV) has a wavelength smaller than the one of purple. This part of the solar radiation, which is not visible either, can be harmful for humans. Related article UV at the surface What is UV and where does it come from?