UV Rays Full Form- Ultraviolet Rays

What is UV Ray? The full form of UV Rays is Ultraviolet Rays. The wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light are shorter than those of visible light. Certain insects, like bumblebees, are able to perceive UV radiation, despite the fact that humans cannot see them. 

This is comparable to how a dog may detect a whistle that is slightly above human hearing distance. The whole ultraviolet spectrum, which is usually separated into UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C, originates from the Sun. In Earth sciences, these are the categories that are most frequently utilized. 

The most dangerous UV-C rays are virtually entirely absorbed by our atmosphere. The dangerous UV-B photons are what lead to sunburn. In living things, exposure to UV-B radiation raises the possibility of cellular damage to DNA and other organelles.

The Concept of UV Rays

The terms near ultraviolet (NUV), medium ultraviolet (MUV), far ultraviolet (FUV), and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) are frequently used by scientists researching celestial objects. 

The image below was taken at several extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths by NASA's SDO mission. Different gas temperatures are revealed by the false-color composite. In comparison to blues and greens, which are hotter (over one million Celsius), reds are comparatively mild (around 60,000 Celsius).

Johann Ritter experimented in 1801, trying to find out if there was energy present in the visible spectrum that extended past the violet end. He exposed the paper to light beyond violet as he knew that photographic paper would turn black more quickly in blue light than in red light. As expected, the paper became black, demonstrating that ultraviolet light exists.

How was the Ultraviolet Discovered? Johann Ritter experimented in 1801, trying to find out if there was energy present in the visible spectrum that extended past the violet end. He exposed the paper to light beyond violet as he knew that photographic paper would turn black more quickly in blue light than in red light. As expected, the paper became black, demonstrating that ultraviolet light exists.

Ultraviolet Astronomy: Scientists utilize data from satellites orbiting the Earth that are positioned above the atmosphere to detect UV radiation from our Sun and other celestial objects since the Earth's atmosphere absorbs a large portion of high-energy ultraviolet light. Since young stars emit the majority of their light at these wavelengths, scientists may investigate how stars originate in the ultraviolet. 

The Ozone Hole: The amount of atmospheric ozone, which protects life on Earth's surface from the majority of the Sun's harmful UV radiation, can be influenced by chemical processes occurring in the upper atmosphere. 

Every year, a "hole" of diminishing atmospheric ozone forms over Antarctica. On occasion, this "hole" reaches populated parts of South America, exposing them to higher UV radiation levels. NASA's Aura satellite has a device called the Dutch Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) that measures trace gas concentrations that are crucial to air quality and ozone chemistry. 

Ultraviolet Light from stars: By detecting the weak UV light reflections from far-off stars, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's Lyman-Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) can look inside permanently shadowed lunar craters.

Aurorae: High-energy waves that move along a planet's magnetic poles excite atmospheric gasses and give them a glowing appearance are what generate aurorae. 

When high-energy radiation photons collide with atmospheric gas atoms, the electrons in the atoms excite, or shift to the outer shells of the atom. The atom returns to a relaxed state when the electrons return to a lower shell, releasing energy in the form of light. 

What kind of atom was stimulated can be determined by the color of this light. Lower altitude oxygen is indicated by a green light. Nitrogen or oxygen molecules at a higher altitude can produce red light. The term "Northern Lights" refers to the aurorae that surround Earth's north pole.