Changes in Earth's Albedo Measured by Satellite (Wielicki et al, 825) Essay

Changes in Earths Albedo Measured by Satellite (Wielicki et al, 825) - Essay ExampleThe orbiculate reflective power is make up to change with changes in the cloud cover, amount of atmospheric aerosols, and forest, snow, & ice cover on the reasons surface. The magnitude of impact on global albedo referable to events caused on earth can be demonstrated by the following example A volcanic eruption in Mount Pinatubo in June 1991 released aerosols in the stratosphere, which raised global albedo by almost 0.007 in a span of two years. A larger subjoin in global albedo with unknown causes was report to occur between 2001 and 2003. In order to investigate whether any significant changes in global albedo occurred between 2001 and 2003, Wielicki et al. examined the observations made by global satellites that measured changes in the earths albedo (825). These observations include those made by wrap up (Clouds and Earths Radiant Energy System) of NASAs Terra spacecraft. The monthly anoma lies in the data caused by seasonal changes were nullified and data was plotted. The data provided by CERES covers global observations for the name a go at it solar spectrum ranging from a wavelength of 0.3 to 4 m. The observations of the global data reveals a small decrease of about 0.006 in the global albedo corresponding to about 2 W m-2 decrease in the shortwave reflected flux. These results contradict with those obtained by Palle et al, who demonstrated a large increase of about 0.017 in the global albedo corresponding to an increase of about 6 W m-2 in the shortwave reflected flux. Independent observations made by two individual CERES instruments were compared. It is believed that the 1.1 W m-2 decrease in the flux observed by one of the CERES instruments could be due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation during a hemispheric scan. When taken into consideration, this pass on reduces the anomaly to 0.9 W m-2. Wielicki et al. further explain the effect of change in albedo on e arths climate (825). When changes in land surface, aerosols, and forest, snow and ice cover is the cause for change in albedo, then increasing albedo results cooling of the earth and decreasing albedo results in warming. These changes on earths surface importantly influence the amount of reflected solar radiation but learn comparatively minor effects on the emitted caloric infrared radiation that results in cooling. Wielicki et al. contend that if observations made by Palle et al. were correct, then there would have been global cooling double of what had been observed in the Pinatubo eruption. However, such a global cooling was not observed. Furthermore, Wielicki et al. explain another possibility that the earths total ocean heat terminus could insure a significant reduction. It is estimated that between 2000 to 2002, the ocean heat storage has experienced an increase of 0.7 W m-2. In order to account for the global changes in reflected solar flux, the flux in ocean heat storage was scaled to global surface area from an ocean-only area utilized by Willis et al (Wielicki et al. 825). According to Wielicki et al, if changes in global albedo were occurring, then there would be a decrease of 0.7 0.8 W m-2 in the reflected flux. This is found to be consistent with the observations made by CERES. Until now, only the effects of change in albedo have been discussed. Cloud changes may also be affecting both the earths albedo and its thermal infrared cooling, and may also be a cause for albedo changes that do not