1. Incoming Solar Radiation
INSOLATION
Incoming Solar Radiation

2. INSOLATION
the energy emitted by the sun is very high energy and short wavelength

3. INSOLATION
the sun’s (star) energy is emitted in the form of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) which includes visible light, infrared (heat), ultraviolet, gamma, …

4. INSOLATION
of the 100 % of the sun’s energy that interacts with the earth, the following happens:

5. INSOLATION
25 % is scattered and reflected back into space by the atmosphere

6. INSOLATION 20 % is absorbed by the good ozone in the stratosphere
absorbs most of the harmful UV radiation from the sun
UV radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and genetic mutations (mom)
prior to ozone in our atmosphere life only existed underwater
ozone is being depleted by CFC’s (refrigerants and propellants for aerosols)

7. INSOLATION
5 % is reflected by the earth’s surface (albedo)

8. INSOLATION
50 % is
absorbed by
the earth

9. INSOLATION
The earth heats up during the day and re-radiates infrared radiation back to the atmosphere which warms up the air. (late afternoon warmest)
This is how the atmosphere is heated, not directly from the sun.

10. INSOLATION
This infrared radiation has a long wavelength which has a difficult time penetrating water, carbon dioxide, and methane. Therefore a cloudy night will keep more of the day’s heat in (just prior to dawn coldest). Additionally, the more carbon dioxide and methane the more heat will be trapped in over a long period of time creating the Greenhouse Effect. The earth is 33 ºC warmer because of this.

12. INSOLATION
smog is produced in the hot summer, in cities by the mixing of car exhaust and hot sunlight