Sunlight
Sunlight in the broad sense is the total spectrum of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. On Earth, solar radiation is obvious as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon. This is usually during the hours known as day. Near the poles in summer, sunlight also occurs during the hours known as night and in the winter at the poles sunlight may not occur at any time. When the direct radiation is not blocked by clouds, it is experienced as sunshine, a combination of bright light and heat. Radiant heat on the body and other objects that is directly produced by the radiation of the sun should be distinguished from the increase in air temperature due to the radiative heating of the atmosphere by the sun's radiation.
The World Meteorological Organization defines sunshine as direct irradiance from the Sun measured on the ground of at least 120 Wm-2.
Sunlight is also the trade name of the world's first packaged, branded laundry soap producted by Lever Brothers.
Cultural aspects
Many people find direct sunlight to be too bright for comfort, especially when reading from white paper upon which the sun is directly shining. Indeed, looking directly at the sun can cause permanent vision damage. To compensate for the brightness of sunlight, many people wear sunglasses. Cars, many helmets and caps are equipped with visors to block the sun from direct vision when the sun is at a low angle.
In colder countries many people prefer sunnier days and often avoid the shade. In hotter countries the converse is true; during the midday hours many people prefer to stay inside to remain cool. If they do go outside, they seek shade which may be provided by trees, parasols, and so on.
Sunshine is often blocked from entering buildings through the use of window blinds, awnings, shutters or curtains.
Sunbathing
Sunbathing is a popular leisure activity in which a person sits or lies in direct sunshine. People often sunbathe in comfortable places where there is ample sunlight. Some common places for sunbathing include the beach, open air swimming pools, the park, the garden, and pavement (sidewalk) café's. Sunbathers typically wear limited amounts of clothing or swimsuits. Additionally, in nudist areas some sunbathers prefer to go nude.
For many people, an additional or primary purpose for sunbathing is to darken one's skin color (get a sun tan) as this is considered in some cultures to be beautiful, associated with outdoor activity, vacations or holidays, and health. On this last point it is important to note that rather than indicating health, sun tans and excessive sunlight exposure have been linked to all types of skin cancer. An additional reason that some people prefer nude sunbathing is that an "all-over" or "even" tan can be obtained.
See also
Color temperature, Moonlight, Ozone hole, Solar radiation, Sunburn, Sunscreen, government in the sunshine, Season, Sunbeam
da:Sollys de:Tageslicht ja:太陽光