Understanding Spectra from the Earth

	Introduction: The Blue Planet
	1. Light and Radiation What is light? The radiation spectrum Electromagnetic waves Photons Spectral analysis Measuring light intensity Taking images Instruments in space
	2. Thermal Radiation Matter emits radiation Absorption and emission: Kirchhoff's radiation law Light as a particle: Planck's radiation law The role of temperature: the Stefan-Boltzmann law The colour: Wien's displacement law Grey and coloured emitters Solar radiation The solar radiation on the Earth's surface Emission from the Earth The atmospheric back radiation The greenhouse effect The climate crisis
	3. Scattering (coming soon) Light scattering by atoms and molecules Signals from dust and clouds METEOSAT and weather forecast Sahara sand storms seen from space Diffraction of light, the rainbow Scattering of microwaves, rainfall measured with radar

	4. Absorption What does the absorption of light evoke? Some mathematics The transmission Absorption photometry
	5. Exercises Exercises for the use in class, as homework, etc.
	6. Learn More Additional information to specific topics
	7. Literature References A list of references to literature and data sources and suggestions for further reading
	8. Image Credits A list of all images used in the tutorial with indications of their sources
	9. Links A list of useful external links to deepen your knowledge about light and colours
	10. Authors A list of the authors who created the tutorial about spectra from the earth
	11. Worksheets A list of worksheets and related information for use in class

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