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Introduction

Insolation refers to the deposition of radiant energy as heat into an absorbing body. If the body is a planet, first obtain the declination of the Sun as seen from a pole of a planet, use equatorial coordinates. Let a planet have obliquity and the Sun have longitude and right ascension as viewed from the planet. ...read more.

Middle

So it must be remembered that (2) We need to find the normal component of radiation at the north pole. But this flux will be simply (3) since the angular altitude of the Sun from the horizon is given by . Using (4) and plugging (4) into (1) and (4) ...read more.

Conclusion

Equation (7) therefore becomes (9) To find the time-average flux, simply take (10) over the orbit. Note, however, that when L < 0 or (between autumnal equinox and vernal equinox), the north pole will be facing away from the sun and will therefore receive zero flux. The only nonzero contribution to the flux in (?) therefore occurs for . ...read more.

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