Lab 2

Earth-Sun Geometry

Latitude
Angle which specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earths surface.

Earth-Sun Relationship
Several aspects which lead to changes in the amount of solar radiation any point on the Earth receives throughout the year
Earths axis is tilted The Earth orbits around the sun annually

 Axis of rotation of the Earth is tilted at 23.5

Declination
Solar declination The latitude at which the sun is directly overhead at solar noon Declination = 23.5 sin(n) n = the number of days to the nearest equinox n is positive from Vernal to Autumnal Equinox Negative from Autumnal to Vernal Equinox

Declination
For November 13th, n = -52 Declination = 23.5 sin(-52) Declination = 23.5 -0.79 Declination = -18.5 Declination = 18.5 S

Zenith Angle
Zenith Angle Angle between a point directly overhead and the sun at solar noon Zenith Angle = Absolute Value(your latitude declination)

Zenith Angle
Omahas Latitude = 41.3 N Declination on Nov 13 = 18.5 S
Zenith Angle = 41.3 - - 18.5 Zenith Angle = 41.3 + 18.5 Zenith Angle = 59.8

Solar Elevation Angle

Solar Elevation Angle The angle of the sun above the horizon at solar noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Solar Elevation Angle

Zenith Angle = 59.8
Sun Angle = 90 - 59.8 Sun Angle = 30.2

 http://astro.unl.edu/naap/motion1/animation s/seasons_ecliptic.swf

Lab Instructions
Will not be doing any MyMeteorologyLab stuff