Radiation Balance of the Earth-Atmosphere System

9/29/00


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Table of Contents

Radiation Balance of the Earth-Atmosphere System

Reaction Topic

Key Points

The Seasons

The effect of distance from the sun

Radiation from the Sun

How Strong is the Sun at Mars?

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Opacity of Atmosphere (no clouds)

Key Points

Solar Radiation Budget

The Effective Radiating Level ERL

Temperature and Altitude

Key Points

Absorbent Atmosphere

Key Points

Greenhouse Warming: a simple model

Effects of Enhanced CO2 initial change in radiation

Effects of Enhanced CO2 after rebalance

Key Points

How long to achieve balance?

Key Points

Effects of Low Clouds

Effects of High Clouds

Earth from Space

Sources of Information

Author: Francis Bretherton

Email: fbretherton@ssec.wisc.edu

Home Page: http://www.aos.wisc.edu/classpages/aos121br