Ultraviolet Radiation in the Solar System / Edition 1

by M. Vïzquez, A. Hanslmeier

Overview

In the history of science the opening up of a new observational or experimental window is always followed by an increase in knowledge of the subject concerned. This is also the case with the subject of this book, ultraviolet radiation (hereafter UV). In principle, the ultraviolet range might be just one more of these windows, of no particular importance. However, the energy per UV photon provides the main peculiarity, its magnitude being great enough to produce important ch- ical reactions in the atmospheres of planets and satellites, thereby affecting the transmission of this radiation to the ground. The Sun is the main natural source of UV radiation in the Solar System and our planet is the body where its influences can be best tested and the only one where its relation with life can be studied. However, the terrestrial atmosphere blocks most of the photons in this electromagnetic range and astronomers have had to develop various techniques (balloons, planes and rockets) to cross this barrier and access the information. These tools have been used in parallel to investigate the physical properties of the terrestrial atmosphere and the interaction of its constituents with light. This book will addresses most of these topics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402037269
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	12/22/2005
Series:	Astrophysics and Space Science Library , #331
Edition description:	2006
Pages:	380
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

Historical Introduction.- Solar Ultraviolet Radiation and Magnetism.- The Solar UV Variability.- Atmospheric Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation.- UV Radiation, Ozone and Life.- UV Fluxes on Other Bodies of the Solar System.- Ultraviolet Transitory Events and Life.