About. Net Radiation : Global Maps. Download a Quicktime animation of this dataset (4 MB) Earth's net radiation, sometimes called net flux, is the balance between incoming and outgoing energy at the top of the atmosphere.
It is the total energy that is available to influence the climate. Energy comes in to the system when sunlight penetrates the top of the atmosphere. Energy goes out in two ways: reflection by clouds, aerosols, or the Earth's surface; and thermal radiation—heat emitted by the surface and the atmosphere, including clouds. 1 In 4 Americans Thinks The Sun Goes Around The Earth, Survey Says : The Two-Way. A view of Venus, black dot at top center, passing in front of the sun during a transit in 2012.
A quarter of Americans questioned failed to answer correctly the most basic questions on astronomy. AP hide caption itoggle caption AP A view of Venus, black dot at top center, passing in front of the sun during a transit in 2012.