Earth's Reflectivity Dimming Faster in the North
Earth, as observed by Google Earth, is gradually losing its luster, with the Northern Hemisphere darkening at a faster pace than the Southern Hemisphere. This shift, driven by cleaner factories and melting ice, is influencing the planet's temperature and climate.
Research conducted by Norman Loeb at NASA's Langley Research Center has shown that Earth's albedo, or reflectivity, is decreasing more rapidly in the Northern Hemisphere. This is due to fewer reflective clouds caused by cleaner factories and the exposure of dark soil as ice melts in the Arctic. Earth as a whole reflects 30 to 40% of sunlight, more than the Moon, but this ability is vital for shaping our climate.
The Earth's surface absorbs some sunlight, heats up, and re-emits some into space or into the soil. Clouds play a significant role in this process by blocking heat and preventing frosts. However, the Earth's hemispheres no longer reflect light symmetrically, with the Northern Hemisphere, surrounded by oceans, darkening faster than the Southern Hemisphere, which lacks a continent comparable to Eurasia.
The darkening effect in the Northern Hemisphere is a result of cleaner factories and melting ice, which expose dark soil. This is a significant change in Earth's reflectivity, with potential impacts on our climate. Further research is ongoing to understand the full implications of this shift.
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