Albedo
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Albedo
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
