Assignment

Briefly identify and explain the four components of the Earth-sun relationship that gives us seasons, or in other words, the changing distribution of insolation throughout the year (in three to four paragraphs). Do not describe seasonal events like the equinoxes or solstices. Rather describe the factors or variables behind these events (e.g. the earth orbits the sun).

The Sun-Earth system plays a major role in determining how much sunlight reaches the surface of the earth. The sun-earth combination creates a geometrical system of factors which are the causes of solar patterns and sources of energy for the entire climate system. One of the factors that causes the poles of the earth to be cold is because the earthis spherical and its poles are further from the sun than the equator.

Another factor that affects insolation throughout the year is the effect of geometry. The angle between incoming rays from the sun and the direction of the normal surface of the earth which can be said to the normal vertical direction is enough evidence that the sun is not always overhead. The insolation received on the surface of the earth is reduced by a factor of the cosine of this angle and this is referred to as the Lambert's Cosine Law.

The other factor is absolute location of a place on the surface of the earth. For instance, the annual insolation for places located 60 degrees north receive maximum insolation during the month of June when the June solstice occurs. At this time of the year, the angle of incidence at this place is maximum and the length of days are at maximum too.