Images related to A World of Sunlight and Heat

Another Accountant for the Energy Budget
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Another Accountant for the Energy Budget

The CERES FM6 instrument measures the solar energy absorbed and reflected by Earth, the heat the planet emits into space, and the role of clouds in that process.

Published Jan 26, 2018

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water

U.S. Heat Wave and Earth’s Energy Balance
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U.S. Heat Wave and Earth’s Energy Balance

July’s extreme heat in the United States radiated energy out into space as shown in this image from July 22, 2011.

Published Aug 31, 2011

Image of the Day Heat Temperature Extremes

Measuring Earth’s Albedo
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Measuring Earth’s Albedo

The global picture of how Earth reflects sunlight is a muddle, though several regional trends emerge.

Published Oct 21, 2014

Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Land Water Remote Sensing

The Top of the Atmosphere
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The Top of the Atmosphere

Atmospheric gases scatter blue wavelengths of visible light more than other wavelengths, giving the Earth’s visible edge a blue halo. At higher and higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes so thin that it essentially ceases to exist. Gradually, the atmospheric halo fades into the blackness of space. This astronaut photograph captured on July 20, 2006, shows a nearly translucent moon emerging from behind the halo.

Published Feb 2, 2007

Image of the Day Atmosphere

Terra Turns Ten: Snow, Clouds, and Sunlight
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Terra Turns Ten: Snow, Clouds, and Sunlight

This trio of global maps illustrates how snow and clouds make Earth more reflective.

Published Dec 18, 2009

Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Land Snow and Ice

Earth’s Energy out of Balance
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Earth’s Energy out of Balance

These maps show observed and modeled energy imbalances in the top 750 meters of the world’s oceans from 1993-2003.

Published Apr 29, 2005

Image of the Day Water