Information AboutSolar Radiation |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT SOLAR RADIATION | |
| sun | |
| radiation | |
| energy | |
| atmospheric radiation | |
| climate forcing | |
| solar energy | |
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Solar radiation is radiant energy emitted by the produces a Suntan or a Sunburn on people who have been in Sunlight for extended periods of time. Solar radiation is commonly measured with a Pyranometer or pyrheliometer. CLIMATE EFFECT OF SOLAR RADIATION The average energy Density of solar radiation just above the Earth's Atmosphere , in a plane perpendicular to the rays, is about 1367 W /m&2, a value called the Solar Constant (although it fluctuates by a few parts per thousand from day to day). The Earth receives a total amount of radiation determined by its Cross Section (π R2), but as the planet rotates this energy is distributed across the entire Surface Area (4 π R2). Hence, the average incoming solar radiation (known as " Insolation ") is 1/4th the solar constant or ~342 W/m&2. At any given location and time, the amount received at the surface depends on the state of the atmosphere and the Latitude . On Earth, solar radiation is obvious as daylight when the sun is above the Horizon . This is during daytime, and also in Summer near the poles at Night , but not at all in Winter near the poles. When the direct radiation is not blocked by Cloud s, it is experienced as '' Sunshine '', a combination of bright yellow light (sunlight in the strict sense) and Heat . The heat on the body, on objects, etc., that is directly produced by the radiation should be distinguished from the increase in Air Temperature . The amount of radiation intercepted by a planetary body varies as the square of the distance between the star and the planet. The Earth's ). SEE ALSO
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