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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'''Albedo'''
 
 
<BR/>The ratio of the amount of  
 
  
[[Electromagnetic Radiation|electromagnetic radiation]] reflected
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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.
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]].<BR>
 
<BR/> '' The concept defined above is identical with  
 
[[Reflectance|reflectance]].
 
However, albedo is more commonly used in astronomy and meteorology
 
and reflectance in physics.  
 
<BR>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. <BR>
 
  
The albedo is to be distinguished from the  
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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).  
 
<BR>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==
 
==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%3ADefinitions]]
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[[Category: Definitions]]
[[Category%3ANASA SP-7]]
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[[Category: NASA SP-7]]

Latest revision as of 09:27, 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