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solar constant
solar constant the average amount of radiant energy received by the earth's atmosphere from the sun; its value is about 2 calories per min incident on each square centimeter of the upper atmosphere. The actual value of the energy varies with several factors; the most important factor is the earth's distance from the sun, which changes because of the earth's elliptical orbit. For computing the value of the solar constant, the astronomical unit , or average earth-sun distance, is used. |
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"solar constant." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "solar constant." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-solarcon.html "solar constant." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-solarcon.html |
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solar constant
solar constant The mean intensity of the solar beam in free space (i.e. before penetrating the Earth's atmosphere) at the average distance of the Earth from the Sun. The intensity is not strictly constant for all the wavelengths of radiation involved. The amount of variability is still a subject of debate, but is certainly very small apart from the long-term development in the history of the Sun.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "solar constant." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "solar constant." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-solarconstant.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "solar constant." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-solarconstant.html |
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solar constant
solar constant The amount of solar energy, in all wavelengths, that falls on a given area at the top of the Earth's atmosphere. In fact, the solar ‘constant’ varies by 0.1% over the eleven‐year solar cycle, and perhaps by more over longer periods, so the term total solar irradiance is now preferred.
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"solar constant." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "solar constant." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-solarconstant.html "solar constant." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-solarconstant.html |
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solar constant
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"solar constant." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "solar constant." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-solarconstant.html "solar constant." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-solarconstant.html |
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