This nice picture shows the absorbtion spectra ot the "heat rays" -
infrared light. Wide absorbing bands originate from water vapour
– for example from the rain or from your breath.
As you can see water vapour absorbs heat. And - clouds did not allow
the heat to escape from Earth – really cold nights that those without
clouds. Have you noticed it?
A narrow band in the middle, which you can see in better in the insert,
is that due to carbon dioxide - it also does not allow the heat to escape
from Earth's surface.
If there is too many carbon dioxide in the air – it is like to cover yourself with a double feather-blanket – it will be too hot !
Lo spettro IR ottenuto con spettrometro JASCO 660V, in aria. Cortesia prof. Gino Mariotto.