Insolation, or incoming solar radiation, is absent at night because the Earth rotates on its axis. When a specific location is turned away from the Sun, it no longer receives direct sunlight, resulting in darkness. This lack of solar energy during nighttime leads to cooler temperatures and a decrease in heat absorbed by the surface.
The duration of insolation is the same everywhere on the days of the equinoxes - around March 20-21 for the vernal (spring) equinox and around September 22-23 for the autumnal equinox. During these times, the sun is directly above the equator, resulting in approximately equal day and night lengths worldwide.
Sunspots
When the Sun is directly overhead (at zenith) the point below it is called nadir.
Insolation, or incoming solar radiation, is highest when the sun is directly overhead, typically around noon local time. This occurs during the summer solstice in each hemisphere when the sun's rays strike the Earth at the most direct angle. Additionally, insolation levels vary with geographical location, with equatorial regions receiving more consistent high levels throughout the year compared to higher latitudes.
The areas with the highest insolation are typically found near the equator, particularly in regions like the Sahara Desert and parts of the Amazon rainforest. These regions receive direct sunlight for the longest hours throughout the year due to their geographic location, resulting in high solar radiation levels. Additionally, factors such as altitude and atmospheric conditions can also influence insolation, but equatorial regions generally stand out for their consistent high levels.
The duration of insolation on March 21, also known as the spring equinox, is approximately 12 hours. This is because on the equinox, the sun is directly above the equator, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night worldwide.
Direct and diffused insolation.
Insolation refers to solar radiation received by the Earth's surface, while terrestrial radiation refers to the heat energy emitted by the Earth's surface back into the atmosphere. Insolation provides the energy input that drives the Earth's climate system, while terrestrial radiation plays a role in heat exchange processes like cooling at night.
Solar panels that convert sunlight to electrical energy are an application of insolation.
The polar regions, particularly the poles, receive the lowest insolation due to their high latitude and the tilt of Earth's axis. These areas experience prolonged periods of darkness during winter, leading to limited sunlight and low insolation levels.
sunlight
The cast of Insolation - 2014 includes: Marine Blin Morten Riisberg
Angle of insolation refers to the angle at which the sun's rays strike the Earth's surface. The angle of insolation affects the intensity of solar energy received at a particular location. A higher angle of insolation results in more concentrated sunlight, while a lower angle spreads the sunlight out over a larger area.
The Earth's rotation greatly enhances the even distribution of heat from insolation, and is the cause of the 24-hour night and day cycle of illumination over most of the Earth.
In the tropics.
insolation
As the altitude of the sun increases, the intensity of insolation for that area will increase as well.