Difference between revisions of "Albedo"
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:<math>{\alpha}={{I}\over{R}}</math>, where <math>{\alpha}</math> is albedo, <math>I</math> is the measure of ''incident light'' and <math>R</math> is the measure of ''reflected light''. | :<math>{\alpha}={{I}\over{R}}</math>, where <math>{\alpha}</math> is albedo, <math>I</math> is the measure of ''incident light'' and <math>R</math> is the measure of ''reflected light''. | ||
| − | The albedo is a strong factor in the regulation of a planet's atmosphere. Albedo may be increased by surface features (i.e. ice or snow in polar regions) or atmospherics (i.e. clouds), so any changes in climate strongly influences albedo. In the case of an ice age, much of a planet's surface may be covered in snow, increasing the reflectivity, hindering the [[greenhouse effect]] acting on the atmosphere. This would therefore lead to further cooling. Likewise, if all the ice melts, the albedo will decrease, enhancing the greenhouse effect, amplifying [[global warming]]. | + | The albedo is a strong factor in the regulation of a planet's [[atmosphere]]. Albedo may be increased by surface features (i.e. ice or snow in polar regions) or atmospherics (i.e. clouds), so any changes in climate strongly influences albedo. In the case of an ice age, much of a planet's surface may be covered in snow, increasing the reflectivity, hindering the [[greenhouse effect]] acting on the atmosphere. This would therefore lead to further cooling. Likewise, if all the ice melts, the albedo will decrease, enhancing the greenhouse effect, amplifying [[global warming]]. |
| − | The albedo of Mars is .16 or 16%<ref>http://www.astronomynotes.com/solarsys/plantblb.htm</ref>. | + | The albedo of [[Mars]] is .16 or 16%<ref>http://www.astronomynotes.com/solarsys/plantblb.htm</ref>. |
Revision as of 11:22, 2 September 2009
The albedo of a planet is the ratio between the amount of incident light on that planet to how much light is reflected.
- , where is albedo, is the measure of incident light and is the measure of reflected light.
The albedo is a strong factor in the regulation of a planet's atmosphere. Albedo may be increased by surface features (i.e. ice or snow in polar regions) or atmospherics (i.e. clouds), so any changes in climate strongly influences albedo. In the case of an ice age, much of a planet's surface may be covered in snow, increasing the reflectivity, hindering the greenhouse effect acting on the atmosphere. This would therefore lead to further cooling. Likewise, if all the ice melts, the albedo will decrease, enhancing the greenhouse effect, amplifying global warming.
