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?
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
