![]() ![]() (The maximum solar elevation is 90° for the overhead Sun.) This angle changes systematically with latitude, the time of year, and the time of day. Most surfaces are not perpendicular to the Sun, and the energy they receive depends on their solar elevation angle. Although about 31 percent of this energy is not used as it is scattered back to space, the remaining amount is sufficient to power the movement of atmospheric winds and oceanic currents and to sustain nearly all biospheric activity. ![]() (This amount is comparable to the power consumption of a typical electric heater.) Because of the slight ellipticity of Earth’s orbit around the Sun, the amount of solar energy intercepted by Earth steadily rises and falls by ☓.4 percent throughout the year, peaking on January 3, when Earth is closest to the Sun. A 1-square-metre (11-square-foot) area perpendicular (90°) to the rays of the Sun at the top of Earth’s atmosphere, for example, receives about 1,365 watts of solar power. The planets intercept minute fractions of this energy, the amount depending on their size and distance from the Sun. Nuclear fusion deep within the Sun releases a tremendous amount of energy that is slowly transferred to the solar surface, from which it is radiated into space. Solar radiation Distribution of radiant energy from the Sun As variation of solar radiation is the single most important factor affecting climate, it is considered here first. They are subject to many influences, including those of the atmosphere, ocean, and land, and are modified by them. See how differing amounts of solar radiation at the poles and Equator affect Earth's climate and atmosphere See all videos for this articleĪir temperatures have their origin in the absorption of radiant energy from the Sun. SpaceNext50 Britannica presents SpaceNext50, From the race to the Moon to space stewardship, we explore a wide range of subjects that feed our curiosity about space!.Learn about the major environmental problems facing our planet and what can be done about them! Saving Earth Britannica Presents Earth’s To-Do List for the 21st Century.Britannica Beyond We’ve created a new place where questions are at the center of learning.100 Women Britannica celebrates the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, highlighting suffragists and history-making politicians.COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.Britannica Explains In these videos, Britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions.Britannica Classics Check out these retro videos from Encyclopedia Britannica’s archives.The Observatory is normally unmanned on weekends and holidays. Staff are available at the Observatory between 16:30 and 01:00UT. ![]() In case of questions, please contact us as below: This measurement has been derived, processed and transmittedĪutomatically. ![]() The daily flux values are being updated on weekdays and are available here.įor the accessible text version of the latest solar radio flux, please view the Latest solar radio flux (HTML version). Transmission of the solar radio flux report is temporarily halted. ![]()
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