A World of Sunlight and Heat

Reflected shortwave radiation (visible light) animation (2 MB)
Outgoing longwave radiation (heat) animation (2 MB)



The top image shows the average amount of sunlight (in Watts per square meter) that was reflected from the Earth back into space during a day in July 2000. White pixels show where more sunlight (or reflected shortwave radiation) is escaping the top of the atmosphere. Green pixels show intermediate values and blues show the lowest values. Clouds and snow-covered surfaces are highly reflective, while the ocean strongly absorbs sunlight. Note that Antarctica appears dark because it is night time there in the month of July.

The bottom image shows the average amount of heat (in Watts per square meter) that was emitted from the Earth back into space during a day in July 2000. Yellow pixels show where more heat (or outgoing longwave radiation) is escaping the top of the atmosphere. Purples and blues show intermediate values and white pixels show the lowest values. Desert regions and other areas experiencing heatwaves (i.e., Southwestern U.S.) emit a lot of heat, while the cold cloud tops of the thunderheads along the equator and the snow and ice-covered continent of Antarctica emit very little heat.

Click the animations above to see how our world’s radiant energy fluxes changed over the course of the last 14 months (March 2000 to May 2001). Notice, for example, how the energy seems to shift to the Northern Hemisphere this time of year, and toward the Southern Hemisphere during the summer months there.


A World of Sunlight and Heat

June 22, 2001
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