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==Facts and figures== | ==Facts and figures== | ||
| − | "in the UK we receive an average power of about 125 Wm<sup>-2</sup> whilst the Sahara Desert gets 250-300 Wm<sup>-2</sup>" <ref>[http://cms.ises.org/uploads2/SSF/pictures/materials/307/solarrad.PDF the SOLAR ENERGY society: Solar Radiation - Distribution and Availability of Solar Energy]</ref> | + | "in the UK we receive an average power of about 125 Wm<sup>-2</sup> whilst the Sahara Desert gets 250-300 Wm<sup>-2</sup>" <ref>[http://cms.ises.org/uploads2/SSF/pictures/materials/307/solarrad.PDF the SOLAR ENERGY society: Solar Radiation - Distribution and Availability of Solar Energy]</ref>. |
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| + | With 24*365 hours per year this results in an average usable energy per m<sup>2</sup> and year of 1095 kWh in the UK and 2190-2628 kWh in the Sahara. | ||
==Open issues== | ==Open issues== | ||
Revision as of 01:16, 2 January 2008
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The sun is in average 227936637 km away from Mars. The Sunlight arrives after 13 minutes on Mars with a power of 589 W/m2. It is not as bright as on Earth (1367 W/m2). No one has ever seen it, but it probably gives the impression of dawn or dusk during daytime. Colonists should have this impression only for a few days until their visual cortex adapts.
The Martian atmosphere does not filter the sunlight enough, leaving to much UV ray and high energy particles to reach the surface. Life is considered not possible without additional shielding against cosmic radiation and parts of the solar radiation.
The amount of usable energy on the surface is lower due to the rotation of the planet and the angle of the plain. Also, reflection and absorption at the atmosphere must be considered. On Earth the annual usable energy per m2 is about 1000 kWh in Middle Europe and 2400 kWh in the Sahara.
Facts and figures
"in the UK we receive an average power of about 125 Wm-2 whilst the Sahara Desert gets 250-300 Wm-2" [1].
With 24*365 hours per year this results in an average usable energy per m2 and year of 1095 kWh in the UK and 2190-2628 kWh in the Sahara.
Open issues
- What are the phychological and physiological effects of the permanent dim light on humans, animals and plants?
- Are there scientific facts of a positive effect of artificial light to compensate the lack of sunlight?
- What is the annual usable energy on Mars in the equator region?
