Solar Energy ✍️
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University of Kansas *
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Astronomy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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7
Uploaded by ChefNeutronGuineaPig39
1.
Briefly describe Earth's origin as part of the Solar System.
The Earth rotates once on its axis about every 24 hours. As Earth turns, the Moon and stars change position in our sky. As Earth rotates, the side of Earth illuminated by the Sun experiences daylight, while the opposite side, shrouded in shadow, experiences darkness or nighttime. In the Northern Hemisphere, summer commences around June 21st. During this time, the Earth's North Pole aligns directly with the Sun. Consequently, regions located north of the equator enjoy extended daylight hours and shorter nights, as they face the Sun. Conversely, areas in the southern hemisphere experience extended nighttime hours and shorter days because they are oriented away from the Sun during this period. In the case of individuals residing in the Northern Hemisphere, winter typically commences around December 21st. During this period, Earth's South Pole is inclined toward the Sun, resulting in shorter daylight hours and longer nights for those positioned north of the equator.
Reference:
GeogUnit5 page2-3
2.
How far is Earth from the Sun in terms of light speed? In terms of kilometers and miles?
January Perihelion is when Earth is at its shortest distance from the Sun during its elliptical orbit. At this time, Earth is about 147.1 million kilometers (94.1 million miles) away from the Sun,
and Aphelion is the point in Earth's orbit where it is farthest from the Sun.
It occurs in early July.
During aphelion, Earth is about 152.1 million kilometers (94.5 million miles) away from the Sun. So, in terms of light speed, Earth is about 492.16 light-
seconds away from the Sun at perihelion (January) and about 507.91 light-seconds away at aphelion (July).
Reference:
GeogUnit5 page7,
https://youtu.be/btcTfor-j-c
, https://youtu.be/B1AXbpYndGc
3.
Diagram in a simple sketch Earth's orbit about the Sun. How much does it vary during the course of a year?
Throughout the year, as the Earth orbits the Sun, its axial tilt and its position along its elliptical orbit cause the changing seasons and variations in the length of daylight. These variations in distance and tilt are responsible for the different seasons we experience on Earth. 4.
What is the sunspot cycle? At what stage was the cycle in the year 2013? The sunspot cycle, is the solar cycle,
is a natural and approximately 11-
year-long cyclic variation in the number of sunspots on the surface of the
Sun. Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the Sun's photosphere, they appear to look darker than the surrounding areas because they are cooler and associated with strong magnetic fields. In 2013, the sunspot cycle was in Solar Cycle 24. was in the phase of solar maximum.
Referce:
https://youtu.be/2HoTK_Gqi2Q
, https://youtu.be/JMFRe6ft4lI
5.
Describe Earth's magnetosphere and its effects on the solar wind and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Earth's magnetosphere is a protective magnetic field surrounding the planet. It shields Earth from harmful solar wind and cosmic radiation.
Earth's magnetosphere deflects and redirects the solar wind, preventing most of its charged particles from reaching Earth's surface. Magnetic reconnection can lead to phenomena like magnetic storms and auroras, it also influences the electromagnetic spectrum by creating auroras in the visible light part and affecting radio wave propagation, influencing long-distance radio communication.
Reference: https://youtu.be/pj_ya0e20vE
, https://youtu.be/2HoTK_Gqi2Q
,
GeogUnit5 page 4-5
6.
Summarize the presently known effects of the solar wind relative to Earth's environment.
The Sun's "solar wind," made of particles, affects Earth in various ways. It can cause storms that mess up power and communication, make pretty lights in polar areas, and be risky to astronauts and spacecraft. It also influences space weather, technology, and cosmic rays from space. Reference:
https://youtu.be/2HoTK_Gqi2Q
,
GeogUnit5 page 4
7.
Describe the various segments of the electromagnetic spectrum, from shortest to longest wavelength. What are the main wavelengths produced by the Sun? Which wavelengths does Earth radiate to Earth?
Short wavelengths: gamma rays
a
re associated with nuclear reactions and high-energy phenomena, x-rays are used in medical imaging and can penetrate materials. and ultraviolet radiation
includes wavelengths that can cause sunburn and are important for processes like photosynthesis.
Long wavelengths: Visible light is part of the spectrum our eyes can see, encompassing all the colors of the rainbow, infrared radiation is known for its heat related properties and is used in applications like thermal imaging, microwaves have longer wavelengths and are used in devices like microwave ovens, telecommunications, and radar and lastly radio waves are used for radio and television broadcasting, wireless communication, and more.
Earth radiates heat in the form of infrared radiation to space. This helps maintain our planet's temperature, keeping it warm and habitable.
Reference:
https://youtu.be/pj_ya0e20vE
8.
What is the solar constant? Why is it important to know?
The solar constant is a measure of how much energy we get from the Sun at the outer edge of Earth's atmosphere. It's like the Sun's "brightness" in space and helps us understand how much sunlight we receive on Earth. This information is important for things like solar power, climate, and space exploration. It's important to know the solar constant because it helps us figure out how much sunlight and energy we get from the Sun. This information is
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crucial for using solar power, understanding our climate, planning space missions, and doing scientific research.
Reference: https://youtu.be/KUU7IyfR34o
, GeogUnit5 page 5-6
9.
Define solar altitude, solar declination, and daylength and describe the annual variability of each—Earth's seasonality.
Solar altitude is like the height of the Sun in the sky. It changes during the day, being highest at noon. Solar declination is how far north or south of the equator the Sun is in the sky. It varies with the seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, it's highest in the summer, at the equator during the equinoxes, and lowest in the winter.
Daylength is the amount of time between sunrise and sunset. It changes throughout the year, with longer days in the summer and shorter days in the winter. Daylength is why we have seasons, with more daylight in the summer and less in the winter. Together they create the distinct seasons on Earth
and are responsible for the changing lengths and intensities of daylight and the angle of the Sun in the sky throughout the year.
Reference: https://youtu.be/KUU7IyfR34o
, GeogUnit5 page 5-7
10.
The concept of seasonality refers to what specific phenomena? How do these two aspects of seasonality change during the year at 0° latitude? At 40°? At 90°?
Seasonality refers to the variation in weather, climate, and natural phenomena that occurs over the course of a year. Two important things cause seasonality: how much the Earth tilts and how it moves around the
Sun. At 0° latitude, seasonality doesn't change much. It's mostly warm all year, and day and night lengths stay similar. At 40° latitude it gets warmer in the summer when the Sun is higher in the sky and colder in the winter when the Sun is lower. Daylength changes, with longer days in summer and shorter days in winter, and At 90° latitude there are times of the year when the Sun doesn't set for a while, and times when it
doesn't rise, daylength changes dramatically, with very long days in summer and very long nights in winter.
Reference: GeogUnit5 6-8, https://youtu.be/WgHmqv_-UbQ
, https://youtu.be/btcTfor-j-c
11.
Differentiate between the Sun's altitude and its declination at
Earth's surface.
The Sun's altitude and declination are angular measurements related to the Sun's position in the sky. Sun's altitude is dependent on the observer's location, time, and date, whereas the Sun's declination is solely determined by the Earth's axial tilt and the date, and it's the same
for all observers on Earth at a given date.
Reference: https://youtu.be/KUU7IyfR34o
, https://youtu.be/obTWNJkjj7Y
, GeogUnit5 page 7-8
12.
List the five physical factors that operate together to produce seasons.
1.
Earth is tilted on its axis.
2.
Earth's path around the Sun is a bit like an oval.
3.
Daylight length changes during the year.
4.
The Sun's height in the sky changes.
5.
The Sun's position north or south in the sky changes.
These factors make our seasons change from spring to summer, summer
to fall, fall to winter, and winter to spring.
Reference: https://youtu.be/KUU7IyfR34o
, https://youtu.be/obTWNJkjj7Y
13.
Describe revolution and rotation, and differentiate between them.
Rotation is the Earth's spinning motion on its axis, which is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole.
The Earth completes
one full rotation about its axis approximately every 24 hours, causing day and night to occur. The direction of rotation is counterclockwise when viewed from above the North Pole, and this rotation gives us our 24-hour day.
Revolution is when the Earth's movement in its orbit around the Sun. The
Earth travels in an elliptical path around the Sun, completing one full orbit, so a year. The tilt of the Earth's axis and its orbit around the Sun are responsible for the changing seasons.
Rotation is the Earth's daily spinning on its axis, creating day and night, and revolution is the Earth's annual journey around the Sun, causing the changing of seasons and marking the passage of a year
Reference: GeogUnit5 page 2-3, https://youtu.be/obTWNJkjj7Y
14.
Define Earth's present tilt relative to its orbit about the Sun.
Earth's present tilt relative to its orbit around the Sun is approximately 23.5 degrees. This tilt is the reason we have seasons. When one side of Earth is tilted toward the Sun, it's summer there, and when it's tilted away, it's winter. This tilt stays about the same as Earth goes around the
Sun, making our seasons happen predictably.
Reference: GeogUnit5 page 5-7
15.
Describe seasonal conditions at each of the four key seasonal anniversary dates during the year.
Spring Equinox (Around March 20-21): This is when spring begins. Day and night are about the same length, and it starts getting warmer.
Summer Solstice (Around June 20-21): Summer starts on this day. It has the longest daylight and is usually hot and perfect for outdoor fun.
Fall Equinox (Around September 22-23): Fall begins, and day and night are again about equal. It gets cooler, and leaves on trees change colors and fall.
Winter Solstice (Around December 21-22): Winter begins with the shortest daylight and the longest night. It's cold, and in some places, you might see snow and ice.
Reference: https://youtu.be/kaG6PTVrFP4
, https://youtu.be/btcTfor-j-c
16.
What are the solstices and equinoxes and what is the Sun's declination at these times?
The solstices and equinoxes are four key points in Earth's orbit around the Sun. The terms Solstice refers to the time of the year when we have more night than daylight or more daylight than night.
Equinox refers to the days of equal night and day. This happens twice a year. The Sun's declination in Winter Solstice is at its most negative point, farthest south of the equator, at about -23.5 degrees. Spring Equinox,
The Sun's declination is at the equator, so it's neither north nor south, at 0 degrees. Summer Solstice its at +23.5 degrees and At fall equinox the Sun's declination is again at the equator, at 0 degrees.
Reference: https://youtu.be/kaG6PTVrFP4
, https://youtu.be/btcTfor-j-c
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