Radiation in the ultraviolet part of the solar spectrum, especially at the shorter UV-B wavelengths from 280 to 315nm, is potentially harmful to a wide range of biological systems. Furthermore, atmospheric photochemistry is controlled by UV radiation.
From comprehensive studies of the atmospheric radiative transport processes in the UV an efficient operational algorithm for calculating and mapping the actual surface UV radiation has been developed and patented.
Initialized by a DLR-Technology-Transfer-Project under joint participation of three DLR institutes (Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Deutsches Fernerkundungsdatenzentrum, Institut für Kommunikation und Navigation), by support of the industry (Ambre-Solaire, M-SQUAD), and within the frame of the ESA-GSE project PROMOTE finally the DLR UV-Check Service emanates.
UV-Check provides the user with individual sunburn-time and UV-Index via internet or mobile phone at every place and time in entire Europe. Currently UV-Check is based on ozone data measurements from the GOME-2 instrument aboard the European satellite MetOp.
During its many years of development and up-dating the service has closely been accompanied by the German Professional Association of Dermatologists (BVDD). Presently BVDD is core user of UV-Check and offers the service within the frame of his activities for skin cancer prevention.
All details of UV-Check ranging from its technique to user registration you may find under: