Investigating the Earth System:

Solar Influences from the Exosphere

Hydrosphere

Biosphere

Exosphere

Geosphere

Exosphere

• Earth as a planet is not a “closed system,” in addition to our atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere we have an exosphere

• Everything outside of earth’s atmosphere is called the “exosphere” or “space”

• What from the exosphere affects earth?

Sun’s energy

• Sun radiates energy• Half of earth is always

lit up (day) and locations on earth spin through the lit up half, which is why we have day and night.

• Today is a special day…

What is the equinox?

• Equal day and equal night all over earth

• Sun directly overhead at the equator

• First day of fall

• Sun rises exactly in east

• Solstices=longest day or shortest day

What observations can you make from earth that mark the

changing of the seasons?

Seasonal temperature change

Length of Day Changes

Angle of the sun above the horizon

• The sun rises and sets each day

• The sun is highest at solar noon

• The sun is never at zenith in Wellesley but reaches its highest point on the summer solstice and lowest on the winter solstice

Intensity of Insolation

Cause of the Seasons

Not Distance!

What is the energy that we get from the sun like?

http://ds9.ssl.berkeley.edu/LWS_GEMS/2/espec.htm

Atmosphere is made of “selective absorbers”

Energy is reflected or absorbed and re-radiated

Natural Greenhouse Effect

• GOOD!

• Energy in=energy out or earth’s temperature would increase each year BUT…

• Greenhouse gases slow the terrestrial radiation on its way out so there is always some energy in earth system

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

• Caused by release of greenhouse gasses by humans from:– Cars, power plants

Which country contributes the most greenhouse gasses?

What has happened to global temperatures?

Global Warming!!!

Goldilocks Problem