RADIATIVE COOLING PROCESSES IN EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE DURING EXTREME SPACE WEATHER EVENTS

Abstract

Solar radiation, or the energy generated by the Sun, is the principal energy source for most activities on the Earth. This energy also regulates the planet’s atmospheric energy budget. The Sun’s energy allows life to survive and thrive on Earth. It is accountable for photosynthesis in plants, eyesight in animals, and numerous other natural events such as the flow of air and water that causes weather. The Sun’s infrared radiation is accountable for warming the Earth’s atmosphere and surface. Earth would freeze if it did not receive energy from the Sun. Some of the this energy is transmitted to Earth as ultraviolet (or UV) light, which is vary harmful for for the sustenance of life. Fortunately, the ozone layer found in the Earth’s atmosphere absorbs a significant amount of UV radiation and prevents it from reaching the Earth’s surface. Earth’s magnetosphere and atmosphere system protects us from the harmful solar energy in the form of high energetic solar wind particles, UV, X-rays, etc. The Sun also releases a stream of energy in the form of charged particles that comprise the solar wind. Sometimes energetic bursts caused by massive eruptions on the Sun transmit plasma and radiation traveling across our solar system, occasionally towards the Earth. The interaction of this energetic particles emanating from active regions on solar surface with Earth’s magnetosphere and atmosphere generally refers to space weather. Space weather conditions can produce beautiful light displays known as auroras seen in polar regions. However, it could also disrupt the satellite electronics, radio transmissions, GPS signals, satellite orbits, and even the Earth’s electrical power networks.