solar radiation

noun

1. energy radiated from the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves, including visible and ultraviolet light and infrared radiation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of solar radiation¹

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

As the Arctic warms at a faster rate than the rest of the planet, Earth’s overall surface becomes less reflective and thereby increases the absorption of solar radiation.

From Salon

The image is a panorama composed of 19 pictures, capturing the pink beams of solar radiation that lit up the sky in February 2023.

From BBC

It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but the idea of reflecting solar radiation, the technical term for sunlight, is not as crazy as it might sound and sometimes happens in the natural world.

From BBC

“It’s a trend that can’t be explained by any natural causes, such as changes in volcanic eruptions or solar radiation,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The satellite is equipped with four instruments to study the role of clouds and aerosols — particles suspended in the atmosphere — in reflecting solar radiation back into space and trapping infrared radiation emitted from Earth’s surface.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• solar power