Is the solar constant per day?
It varies on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis, and probably much longer. The variations in the solar constant are not large, averaging at a few tenths of a percent. Scientists have determined the cause of some variability in the solar constant and are hypothesizing others.
Does distance affect the solar constant?
The amount of solar radiation the Earth receives is very closely related to its distance from the sun. And although the sun’s output has varied over it’s long lifetime, Earth’s distance from the sun and orbital characteristics have the greatest effect on the amount of radiation our planet receives.
Why is the solar constant not really constant?
Now this solar constant is actually not a true constant. It varies by +/- 3% because of the Earth’s slightly elliptical orbit around the Sun, being larger when the Earth is at perihelion (currently the first week in January) and smaller when the Earth is at aphelion (currently the first week in July).
What is the solar constant of Earth?
1,361 W/m2
The specific value at Earth of 1,361 W/m2 is called the “solar constant”.
How do you find the solar constant?
The specific value at Earth of 1,361 W/m2 is called the “solar constant”….
- E = total energy intercepted (technically, energy flux = energy per unit time, in watts)
- KS = solar insolation (“solar constant”) = 1,361 watts per square meter.
- RE = radius of Earth = 6,371 km = 6,371,000 meters.
What is albedo effect?
Albedo is an expression of the ability of surfaces to reflect sunlight (heat from the sun). Light-coloured surfaces return a large part of the sunrays back to the atmosphere (high albedo). Dark surfaces absorb the rays from the sun (low albedo).
Which planet has the largest solar constant?
The largest planet in our solar system by far is Jupiter, which beats out all the other planets in both mass and volume. Jupiter’s mass is more than 300 times that of Earth, and its diameter, at 140,000 km, is about 11 times Earth’s diameter.
How is the solar constant measured?
The solar constant includes all types of solar radiation, not just the visible light. It is measured by satellite to be roughly 1.366 kilowatts per square meter (kW/m²).
