-
Albedo
- The reflectivity of a substance, usually expressed as a percentage of
- the incident radiation reflected
-
Aphelion
The point in the orbit of a planet that is farthest from the Sun
-
Atmospheric Window
- Refers to the fact that the troposphere is transparent (ie. does not
- absorb) to terrestrial radiation between 8 – 11 micrometers in length
-
Blackbody
- A material that is able to absorb 100 percent of the radiation that
- strikes it.
-
Diffuse (solar) radiation
- Solar energy is scattered and reflected in the atmosphere and reaches
- Earth’s surface in the form of diffuse blue light from the sky
-
Equinox
- The point in time when the vertical rays of the Sun are
- striking the equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, March 20//21 is the vernal or
- spring equinox and September 22//23 is the autumnal equinox. Lengths of
- daylight and darkness are equal at all latitudes at equinox
-
Greenhouse Effect
- : The transmission of shortwave solar radiation by the atmosphere coupled
- with the selective absorption of longer-wavelength terrestrial radiation,
- especially by water vapor and carbon dioxide resulting in warming of the
- atmosphere
-
Infrared Radiation
Radiation witha wavelength from 0.7- 200 micrometeres
-
Inclination (tilt) of axis
- The tilt of Earth’s axis from the perpendicular to the plane of Earth’s
- orbit (plane of ecliptic). Currently, the inclination is about 23 1/2°
-
Near Infrared
- : pertaining
- to or being in the infrared spectrum that is closest to visible light; it is
- used for studying red dwarfs, red giants, and other celestial objects.
-
Perihelion
The point in the orbit of a planet closest to the Sun
-
Radiation
- The wavelike energy emitted by any substance that possesses heat. This
- energy travels through space at 300,000 kilometers per second (the speed of
- light)
-
Reflection
- The angle of incidence (incoming rays) is equal to the angle of reflection
- (outgoing rays)
-
Scattering
scattering of light, other electromagnetic radiation, or particles.
-
Solstice
- The point in time when the vertical rays of the sun are striking either
- rthe tropic of cancer ( summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere) or the
- tropic of Capricorn (winter solstice in Northern Hemisphere). Solstice
- represents the longest or shortest day (length of daylight) of the year
-
Tropic of Cancer
- The parallel of latitude, 23 1/2° north latitude, marking the northern
- limit of the Sun’s vertical rays
-
Tropic of Capricorn
- The parallel of latitude, 23
- 1/2° South latitude, marking the Southern limit of the Sun’s vertical
- rays
-
Visible Radiation
Radiation with a wavelength from 0.4- 0.7 micrometers
-
UV Radiation
Radiation with a wavelength from 0.2 – 0.4 micrometers
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