Chapter 2

Solar Energy, Seasons and the

Atmosphere

 
Our Solar System

Figure 2.1
 Earth’s Orbit
• Perihelion – closest to sun January 3
– 91,500,000 mi
• Aphelion – farthest at July 4
– 94,500,000 mi
 Earth’s Energy Budget

Figure 2.8
 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Sun radiates mostly shortwave &

some longwave energy
• Earth radiates longwave energy
 Solar and Terrestrial Energy

Solar
radiation
peaks in the
visible light
spectrum

Figure 2.7
 Distribution of Insolation
• Tropics receive more concentrated insolation due
to the Earth’s curvature. (see next slide)
• Annually, tropics receive 2.5x more insolation than
poles*, though total hours of daylight per year are
the same.
• However, in June, more radiation falls per square
meter in a day on the top of the atmosphere at
latitudes like Vancouver, BC (long days) than
tropical areas.
*per unit area, top of atmosphere
Figure 2.9
 Seasonality
• Caused by changes in intensity & duration of
insolation
• Key related concepts
– Solar altitude: angle above horizon (affects intensity
at ground level)
– Daylength (duration)
– Declination – location of the subsolar point* in
degrees of latitude (in tropics)
*latitude where sun is directly overhead at solar noon
Revolution and Rotation

Figure 2.11
 Reasons for Seasons: 
• Primary explanation: variations in the duration and
intensity of solar radiation received drive the annual march
of the seasons. What causes these variations?
• Tilt of Earth’s axis
– Axis is tilted 23.5° from plane of ecliptic
• Axial parallelism
– Axis maintains alignment during orbit around the Sun.
– North pole points toward the North Star (Polaris)
– Thus, the subsolar point (declination) will vary in location
between the Tropic lines.

Animation:
https://mediaplayer.pearsoncmg.com/assets/KYNa1ou7I
m5RkQpxOkD5i6lG7iVAR6e2
Or google pearson earth sun relations animation
 Seasons (cont)
From ~March 21 to ~Sept. 21, declination (subsolar pt.) is in
northern Hemisphere. Day length is longer the farther north one
is on the Earth. For all places north of Tropic of Cancer, solar
altitude is highest June 21.
From Sept. 21 to March 21, declination is in southern Hemisphere.
Day length is longer the farther south one is on the Earth. For all
places south of Tropic of Capricorn, solar altitude is highest Dec.
21.
– From Sept 22 to March 21, declination is in the ___ Hem. Day
length is longer the farther south one goes.
 Axial Tilt and Parallelism

Figure 2.12
Annual March of the Seasons (know perfectly!!)
• Winter solstice ~December 21
– Subsolar point Tropic of Capricorn
• Spring equinox ~March 21
– Subsolar point Equator
• Summer solstice ~June 21
– Subsolar point Tropic of Cancer
• Fall equinox ~September 22
– Subsolar point Equator

Easiest to learn this info on a globe diagram!

 Annual March of the Seasons

Figure 2.13
 Seasonal Observations

Figure 2.15