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The angle of "insolation" is the angle at which the sun's light hits the earth. This varies by the latitude (how far north or south of the equator you are) and by the Sun's declination (the angle of the Sun north or south of the equator). On the Equinoxes, March 20 and September 20, the sun is crossing the equator. At the Summer Solstice, the Sun is 23.5 degrees north of the equator, and on the Winter Solstice (December 20) the Sun is 23.5 degrees south of the equator.

When the Sun is directly overhead, the angle of insolation is 90 degrees.

I live near Sacramento, CA. Our latitude is 38.5 degrees north. On the Summer Solstice, when the Sun is at 23.5 degrees, the angle of insolation (at noon) is 90 - (38.5-23.5) degrees, or 75 degrees. At the Winter Solstice, when the sun is 23.5 degrees south, the angle of insolation is 90 - (38.5+23.5) degrees, or 28 degrees.

Brrr! No WONDER it feels so cold in the winter!

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What has the lowest 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.


What is the primary change caused by the absorption of insolation?

The primary change caused by the absorption of insolation is an increase in temperature. When insolation is absorbed by the Earth's surface, it gets converted into heat, leading to a rise in temperature. This temperature increase is essential for sustaining life on Earth.


What is the duration of insolation on march 21?

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.


Duration of insolation?

Insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation that reaches a given area. The duration of insolation varies throughout the day, with maximum exposure typically occurring around midday when the sun is highest in the sky. Factors such as time of year, latitude, and cloud cover can also affect the duration of insolation.


How does insulation change with increasing latitude?

Insulation decreases with increasing latitude due to the angle at which sunlight reaches the Earth's surface. At higher latitudes, the sun's rays are more spread out and travel through more atmosphere before reaching the surface, leading to lower insulation levels. This results in cooler temperatures at higher latitudes compared to lower latitudes.

Related Questions

Since Los Angeles and phoenix are at the same latitude what can you infer about the intensity of insolation a?

Since they are at the same latitude it is most likely that something else is making the temperature different than the intensity of insolation affecting the temperature in both areas.


What is the angle of insolation on the winter equinox?

The value will depend on the latitude, but relative to the rest of the year it is at a minimum.


What has the lowest 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.


The change in earth's total insolation is caused by?

sunspots


What is the primary change caused by the absorption of insolation?

The primary change caused by the absorption of insolation is an increase in temperature. When insolation is absorbed by the Earth's surface, it gets converted into heat, leading to a rise in temperature. This temperature increase is essential for sustaining life on Earth.


What is the duration of insolation on march 21?

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.


A change earths Total insolation would be caused by?

Sunspots


A change in earth total insolation would be caused by?

Sunspots


Duration of insolation?

Insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation that reaches a given area. The duration of insolation varies throughout the day, with maximum exposure typically occurring around midday when the sun is highest in the sky. Factors such as time of year, latitude, and cloud cover can also affect the duration of insolation.


What does insolation stand for?

Insolation stands for incoming solar radiation, which refers to the amount of solar energy that reaches a specific area on the Earth's surface over a given period of time. The level of insolation can vary depending on factors such as time of day, season, latitude, and atmospheric conditions.


How does the climate affect the kind of trees grow in Mexico?

Height and latitude affect levels of insolation, rain and humidity. See related questions.


Explain the 4 major reasons why insolation receipt varies according to latitude on earth (on a daily and seasonal basis)?

the sperm travel through