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