Planetary Energy Balance

Black body radiation is the electromagnetic waves given off by all matter.

	Hotter things radiate shorter wavelengths (higher energy) than cooler things. The sun radiates at about 6000 degrees C with an emission peak in visible wavelengths.
	The earth absorbs the sun's radiation, becomes warm and re-radiates at a much cooler temperature of 15 degrees C, with an emissions peak in the infrared.