2007-07-23 00:36:32 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I did the calculation almost a decade ago.
The energy Earth receives from the Sun (and retains) is 113,500 TW (TeraWatts). The energy Earth receives from the Full Moon is 0.7 TW.
In comparison, the energy we get from geological sources (radioactive matter, gravitational energy from heavy metals sinking to the core, etc.) is a little over 13 TW.
We also get heat from the Moon: tidal friction. This amounts to almost 3 TW. Total from the Moon (light + tide) is 3.7 TW.
I remember reading an article around 5 years ago (Sky & Telescope) stating that this total corresponds to less than one degree (F).
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Solar Flux at Earth = 1370 Watts per square metre. To estimate how much Earth intercepts, use the area of Earth's cross section.
Earth's albedo is 0.37 (meaning 37% of the light is reflected back into space without being absorbed). We retain 63%.
The Moon also intercepts Sunlight. Since the Moon's distance from the Sun is the same as Earth's (approx.), the Solar flux is the same. The Moon's cross-section is a lot less.
Also, the Moon's albedo is only 0.12 (it only reflects 12% of the light it receives). And this light is reflected along half a sphere.
You can estimate how much the "lunar flux" is at the Moon-Earth distance (in W/m^2) and figure out how much of that the Earth intercepts. You can increase the amount by 10 to 15% to account for the "opposition effect" that takes place at Full Moon (there is a bit more light reflected back directly towards the light source -- the Sun).
But don't forget to account for the 37% that is reflected by Earth without being absorbed.
2007-07-23 00:59:53 · answer #1 · answered by Raymond 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It would probably be colder. Without the clouds that block the moon from site, radiational cooling is faster. The moon light is of no effect on temperature in such a small amount, but being able to know if the moon is full means no clouds, and it is cloud cover that tells weather the temp will be colder or warmer, with respect to the season.
2007-07-23 07:45:32 · answer #2 · answered by mike453683 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is more warm on a summer night with a full moon that a winter night with a full moon.
2007-07-23 07:42:11 · answer #3 · answered by two11ll 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It depends more on the humidity. The greater the humidity the more mass of the air so it takes much more energy to change it. In the desert where the air is dry it can drop to near freezing although it was hot in the day.
2007-07-23 11:23:22 · answer #4 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The moon absorbs infra-red so a reflection wouldn't produce any heat.
2007-07-23 11:39:53 · answer #5 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
. Yes. Light is heat. The sunlight reflecting off the moon hits the earth and warms it up, ah, a little. Probably one-thousandths of a degree. . ...or less. .
2007-07-23 07:42:35 · answer #6 · answered by jim bo 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No, the moon is just reflecting light, not producing it. Therefore there's no heat produced either.
2007-07-23 07:52:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
well maybe but it has nothing to do with the moon..... its just a floating rock !
2007-07-23 20:46:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i d say more intense.
2007-07-23 08:38:59 · answer #9 · answered by IggySpirit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so.
2007-07-23 08:10:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋