Natural light actually is composed of energy waves that are transmitted 93 million miles from the sun to the Earth. Each energy wave (or light ray) occurs in a different part of a complex light spectrum based on it length in nanometers (urn), which is one-billionth of a meter. That means that no two types of light are the same. For example, ultraviolet light used in tanning salons cannot possibly be the same as an X-ray because of the difference in the length of their energy waves. Therefore, these two waves will behave and affect the human body in completely different ways. We've all heard rumors about tanning bed light being the same thing as microwaves. As you can see these two types of light not only behave differently, but are very far from each other on the spectrum.
NATURAL LIGHT FILTERS
Distance plays a role in how many of the sun's rays that actually reach the earth's surface. Natural light at 5,000 feet is 20 percent stronger than it is at a beach. So if you live around the beach, enjoy the sun in moderation. If you live in Denver (5,000+ feet higher than beach areas), the sun's rays are at least 20 percent stronger. You might wonder why people don't tan as well in the winter as well as they do in the summer. Good question. The reason is that in winter the earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. This tilting results in filtering and lengthening of the sun's rays. The end result is less of the sun's rays that reach the earth's surface. (For that year-round tan, visit your tanning salon.) The earth's position also determines how much sun one gets. For example, the time of day (reflected by the Earth's position) directly affects the intensity of natural light. This is why the medical community has advised people to be careful outdoors between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. Outside of the 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. time range, the sun's rays come to you at an angle. That means some of the sun's rays reflect off Earth's atmosphere, instead of penetrating through to the surface.
There are other natural sunscreens that protect us from overexposure to harmful rays produced by the sun. The ozone screens approximately 30%, clouds screen approximately 50%, and dust or air pollution screen approximately 20%.
DIVIDING LIGHT
For our purposes, let's divide light into three categories; infrared, visible and invisible. The light waves that tan people are invisible, but let's briefly look at the other two categories for comparison.
Infrared waves (above 700nm) include electric waves, radio waves, infrared and short-wave infrared, but only this last type reaches the Earth. Short-wave infrared waves, which give us heat, make up about 49 percent of the solar radiation we receive on Earth.
Visible rays (40Onm to 700nm) cause illumination we can see as colors, including red, yellow, green, blue and violet. These account for about 46 percent of the Earth's solar radiation.
The remaining 4 or 5 percent radiation we receive on Earth is invisible light (200nm to 40Onm). Of all invisible rays-including cosmic rays, gamma rays, X-rays and three forms of ultraviolet light--0nly two of the ultraviolet light rays actually penetrate the Earth's atmosphere. These are the same two invisible light rays used in tanning equipment.
NATURAL LIGHT FILTERS
Distance plays a role in how many of the sun's rays that actually reach the earth's surface. Natural light at 5,000 feet is 20 percent stronger than it is at a beach. So if you live around the beach, enjoy the sun in moderation. If you live in Denver (5,000+ feet higher than beach areas), the sun's rays are at least 20 percent stronger. You might wonder why people don't tan as well in the winter as well as they do in the summer. Good question. The reason is that in winter the earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. This tilting results in filtering and lengthening of the sun's rays. The end result is less of the sun's rays that reach the earth's surface. (For that year-round tan, visit your tanning salon.) The earth's position also determines how much sun one gets. For example, the time of day (reflected by the Earth's position) directly affects the intensity of natural light. This is why the medical community has advised people to be careful outdoors between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. Outside of the 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. time range, the sun's rays come to you at an angle. That means some of the sun's rays reflect off Earth's atmosphere, instead of penetrating through to the surface.
There are other natural sunscreens that protect us from overexposure to harmful rays produced by the sun. The ozone screens approximately 30%, clouds screen approximately 50%, and dust or air pollution screen approximately 20%.
DIVIDING LIGHT
For our purposes, let's divide light into three categories; infrared, visible and invisible. The light waves that tan people are invisible, but let's briefly look at the other two categories for comparison.
Infrared waves (above 700nm) include electric waves, radio waves, infrared and short-wave infrared, but only this last type reaches the Earth. Short-wave infrared waves, which give us heat, make up about 49 percent of the solar radiation we receive on Earth.
Visible rays (40Onm to 700nm) cause illumination we can see as colors, including red, yellow, green, blue and violet. These account for about 46 percent of the Earth's solar radiation.
The remaining 4 or 5 percent radiation we receive on Earth is invisible light (200nm to 40Onm). Of all invisible rays-including cosmic rays, gamma rays, X-rays and three forms of ultraviolet light--0nly two of the ultraviolet light rays actually penetrate the Earth's atmosphere. These are the same two invisible light rays used in tanning equipment.
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