HEATING POTENTIAL The greatest density of radiation received at the surface occu
ID: 286377 • Letter: H
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HEATING POTENTIAL The greatest density of radiation received at the surface occurs when the receiving surface is perpendicular to the incoming radiation. The greatest potential for incoming solar radiation exists near the subsolar point. The subsolar point always occurs at noon sun-time, but the latitude of the SSP varies throughout the year Migration of the SSP is caused by several factors: inclination of the axis, revolution, and parallelism. The northern hemisphere axis always points to Polaris, the North Star, regardless of the earths location in its path around the sun. The combined effect of these three factors causes an annual migration of the subsolar point between 23.5° N and 23.5 S latitude. Northern hemisphere summers occur because the subsolar point migrates into the northern hemisphere, winters when the subsolar point is in the southern hemisphere, while fall and spring are intermediate seasons when the subsolar point is at the equator. In Figure 3.4, label the beginning dates of the seasons for the northern hemisphere as Vernal Equinox (March 21-23); Autumnal Equinox (September 21-23); Summer Solstice (June 21-23); or Winter Solstice (December 21-23) The precise latitude of the SSP is called the declination of the sun. The solar declination corresponding to each day of the year is plotted on a special type of graph called an analemma. Refer to the large globe in the lab. Analemma is the term for the figure-eight patterns you will see plotted across the equator. Find the latitudinal position of today's date on the analemma. That is the latitude of the perpendicular sun today. In the spaces provided below, record the latitudes of the sun's perpendicular rays for each of the following dates: Vernal Equinox: Summer Solstice: Autumnal Equinox: Winter Solstice: In studying the relationships between the earth and sun on a seasonal basis, it is helpful to know the locations of important parallels of the earth's grid system. Use one of the globes in the lab to locate each of the following special parallels. In the spaces below label each with the correct latitude before continuing with this lab. Location of Important Parallels: Antarctic Circle: Tropic of Capricorn: Arctic Circle: Tropic of Cancer: Equator:Explanation / Answer
Latitudes of the Sun's perpendicular rays for the days are given below.
Vernal equinox: 0°
Summer solstice: 23.5° N
Autumnal equinox: 0°
Winter solstice: 23.5° S
Locations of important parallel.
Arctic circle : 66.5°N
Antarctic circle : 66.5°S
Tropic of Capricorn: 23.5° N
Equator: 0°
Tropic of cancer: 23.5°S
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