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71 1 Solar Radiation

The document discusses three key topics related to solar radiation and the Earth-sun relationship: 1) The solar constant, which is the average rate of solar energy received at the top of Earth's atmosphere, is approximately 1,374 W/m2. 2) The geometry of the Earth-sun relationship affects the amount of solar radiation different places on Earth receive at different times, with variations due to the Earth's elliptical orbit, solstices, and equinoxes. 3) Various atmospheric factors like albedo, air pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind also influence the distribution and absorption of solar energy on Earth.

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Lee Castro
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82 views17 pages

71 1 Solar Radiation

The document discusses three key topics related to solar radiation and the Earth-sun relationship: 1) The solar constant, which is the average rate of solar energy received at the top of Earth's atmosphere, is approximately 1,374 W/m2. 2) The geometry of the Earth-sun relationship affects the amount of solar radiation different places on Earth receive at different times, with variations due to the Earth's elliptical orbit, solstices, and equinoxes. 3) Various atmospheric factors like albedo, air pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind also influence the distribution and absorption of solar energy on Earth.

Uploaded by

Lee Castro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EARTH-SUN RELATIONSHIP and

SOLAR RADIATION
SOLAR CONSTANT

Solar Constant

• rate at which solar radiation reaches the upper limits of


earth atmosphere on a surface normal to the incident
radiation and at earth’s mean distance from the sun

• 1,374 W/m2 - often used as the solar constant


earth's energy budget
HEAT BALANCE

earth's energy budget


RADIATION

Solar Radiation - “short” wavelengths


(range: 0.1 to 4.0 m)
Terrestrial Radiation “long” wavelengths
(range: 4.0 to 50 m)
ALBEDO

ALBEDO - percent
of the incoming solar
radiation that
is reflected from a
surface
SUN-EARTH GEOMETRY
• affects the solar radiation received at any location and time

APHELION
- when the sun is farthest from the earth (occurs about July 4)

PERIHELION
- when the sun is nearest from the earth (occurs about January 3)
SUN-EARTH GEOMETRY
SUN-EARTH GEOMETRY

SOLSTICE
• when the sun’s apparent path is displaced farthest north (Tropic of Cancer)
or south (Tropic of Capricorn) from the earth’s equator

In Northern Hemisphere
Summer solstice - occurs on or about June 21
Winter solstice - occurs on or about December 22
SUN-EARTH GEOMETRY

EQUINOX
• the sun passes directly over the equator or when the sun’s apparent path and
plane of the earth’s equator coincide

In Northern Hemisphere
Vernal equinox - occurs on or about March 21
Autumnal equinox - occurs on or about September 22
SUN-EARTH GEOMETRY

• seasons
PRESSURE

GENERAL RULE: weather becomes stormy when air


pressure falls and becomes fair when air pressure rises
barometer
TEMPERATURE
HUMIDITY
WIND

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