Earth's atmosphere and solar radiation. Computer artwork of the effect of the Earth's atmosphere on solar radiation. Shown here are the three lowest levels (blue rectangles) of the Earth's atmosphere, the troposphere (bottom), stratosphere (middle) and mesophere (top).The electromagnetic spectrum is across top. Ultraviolet (UV) light (purple lines) that enters the atmosphere is mostly absorbed by ozone in the stratosphere, although some of it does reach the surface. Some of the visible light (yellow lines) is scattered by gases and suspended particles in the troposphere. Visible light that hits the surface may be re-radiated at a longer (infrared) wavelength (red lines).