“We discovered that the stratosphere has been contracting by more than 100 meters [328 feet] per decade since 1980, and we have proved that it’s due to greenhouse gases,” said co-author Juan Antonio Anel of the University of Vigo in Spain.

Water vapor

What Are Greenhouse Gases? Earth’s greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the planet. The main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor (which all occur naturally), and fluorinated gases (which are synthetic).

The main greenhouse gases are: Water vapor. Carbon dioxide. Methane.

The SO2 converts to sulfuric acid aerosols that block incoming solar radiation and contribute to ozone destruction. The blocked solar radiation can cause global cooling. The amount of SO2 released by volcanoes is much less compared to man-made sources but the impact of some eruptions might be disproportionately large.

While that sounds pretty alarming, some estimates for the cooling of Earth’s core see it taking tens of billions of years, or as much as 91 billion years. That is a very long time, and in fact, the Sun will likely burn out long before the core — in around 5 billion years.

NARRATOR: Lola Fatoyinbo-Agueh is a research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Clouds cool Earth’s surface by reflecting incoming sunlight. Clouds warm or cool Earth’s atmosphere by absorbing heat emitted from the surface and radiating it to space. Clouds warm and dry Earth’s atmosphere and supply water to the surface by forming precipitation.

According to NASA, water vapor accounts for about 50+% of the absorption. Carbon dioxide accounts for 20%. Clouds also account for roughly 25%.

Clouds are white because light from the Sun is white. As light passes through a cloud, it interacts with the water droplets, which are much bigger than the atmospheric particles that exist in the sky. But in a cloud, sunlight is scattered by much larger water droplets.

It does not matter how cloudy, hazy, or even rainy the day is there is still a chance of getting a tan, and even worse, a burn. Thick grey or black clouds will absorb some of the rays and not allow as much UV light through, but some will still get through and into your skin.

“The sun is heading toward solar minimum now. Sunspot counts were relatively high in 2014, and now they are sliding toward a low point expected in 2019-2020. “While intense activity such as sunspots and solar flares subside during solar minimum, that doesn’t mean the sun becomes dull.

Sun spots are areas of strong magnetic forces on the surface of the Sun — sometimes as large as planets — that appear as darker spots because they are cooler. Scientists say the Sun may be going through a long period of decreased activity known as the Modern Grand Solar Minimum from 2020 to 2053.

According to Scripps Atmospheric Scientist Ray Weiss the answer is no, even though it feels that way. He says it’s not that the sun is stronger, but rather the ozone layer is thinner meaning more UV rays are coming through.

To avoid sun damage: Stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s burning rays are the strongest. Protect your skin with clothing, a hat, and sunscreen if you go outside.