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)
Solar Radiation Budget
The Effective Radiating Level ERL
Temperature and Altitude
Absorbent Atmosphere
Greenhouse Warming: a simple model
Effects of Enhanced CO2initial change in radiation
Effects of Enhanced CO2after rebalance
How long to achieve balance?
Effects of Low Clouds
Effects of High Clouds
Earth from Space
Sources of Information
Email: fbretherton@ssec.wisc.edu
Home Page: http://www.aos.wisc.edu/classpages/aos121br