Difference between revisions of "Albedo"
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| − | + | The ratio of the amount of [[Electromagnetic Radiation|electromagnetic radiation]] reflected by a body to the amount incident upon it, often expressed as a percentage, as, '' the albedo of the earth is 34% '' . Compare [[Bond Albedo|Bond albedo]]. | |
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| − | + | The concept defined above is identical with [[Reflectance|reflectance]]. However, albedo is more commonly used in astronomy and meteorology and reflectance in physics. Albedo is sometimes used to mean the flux of the reflected radiation as, the earth albedo is 0.64 calorie per square centimeter. This usage should be discouraged. | |
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| − | [[Reflectance|reflectance]]. | ||
| − | However, albedo is more commonly used in astronomy and meteorology | ||
| − | and reflectance in physics. | ||
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| − | flux of the reflected radiation as, the earth albedo is 0.64 calorie | ||
| − | per square centimeter. This usage should be discouraged. | ||
| − | The albedo is to be distinguished from the | + | The albedo is to be distinguished from the [[Spectral|spectral]] reflectance which refers to one specific wavelength (monochromatic radiation). Usage varies somewhat with regard to the exact wavelength interval implied in albedo figures; sometimes just the visible portion of the spectrum is considered, sometimes the totality of wavelengths in the solar spectrum. |
| − | [[Spectral|spectral]] reflectance which | ||
| − | refers to one specific wavelength (monochromatic radiation). | ||
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| − | varies somewhat with regard to the exact wavelength interval implied | ||
| − | in albedo figures; sometimes just the visible portion of the spectrum | ||
| − | is considered, sometimes the totality of wavelengths in the solar | ||
| − | spectrum. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
''This article is based on NASA's [[NASA SP-7|Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use]]'' | ''This article is based on NASA's [[NASA SP-7|Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use]]'' | ||
| − | [[Category | + | [[Category: Definitions]] |
| − | [[Category | + | [[Category: NASA SP-7]] |
Latest revision as of 08:27, 14 June 2007
The ratio of the amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected by a body to the amount incident upon it, often expressed as a percentage, as, the albedo of the earth is 34% . Compare Bond albedo.
The concept defined above is identical with reflectance. However, albedo is more commonly used in astronomy and meteorology and reflectance in physics. Albedo is sometimes used to mean the flux of the reflected radiation as, the earth albedo is 0.64 calorie per square centimeter. This usage should be discouraged.
The albedo is to be distinguished from the spectral reflectance which refers to one specific wavelength (monochromatic radiation). Usage varies somewhat with regard to the exact wavelength interval implied in albedo figures; sometimes just the visible portion of the spectrum is considered, sometimes the totality of wavelengths in the solar spectrum.
References
This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use
