| Webster's Online Dictionary |
| Expressions | Domain | Definition | |
| Effective terrestrial radiation | Aerospace | The amount by which outgoing infrared terrestrial radiation of the earth's surface exceeds downcoming infrared counter-radiation from the atmosphere. Also called nocturnal radiation, effective radiation. See actinometer. It is to be emphasized that this amount is a positive quantity, of the order of several tenths of a langley per minute, at all times of day (except under conditions of low overcast clouds). It typically attains its diurnal maximum during the midday hours when high soil temperatures create high rates of outgoing terrestrial radiation. (For this reason the synonym nocturnal radiation is apt to lead to slight confusion.) However, in daylight hours the effective terrestrial radiation is generally much smaller than the insolation, while at night it typically dominates the energy budget of the earth's surface. (references) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
