Page 218 - PPL-engelsk 2025

Meteorology

3.3.2 Solar radiation

Due to Earth's tilt and elliptical orbit, the solar radiation is very different both

throughout the year and throughout the day, which is reflected in both weather

and temperature.

3.3.2.1 Solar radiation summer and winter

This illustration shows

solar radiation on June
21.

We can see that the

sun's rays are

concentrated at the
equator, while they are

spread over a large area at the North Pole. No rays reach the South Pole.

At our latitude, it is also relatively warm, but not as warm as at the equator,

since the rays are spread over a larger area.

Now, it's December 21.

There is still much

radiation at the equator,

but it’s the South Pole

that receives some

radiation.

There is no radiation at the North Pole, and at our latitude, the sun's rays are

spread over a large area. It is cold. It is winter.

Flight Theory PPL(A)(UL)/LAPL Henning Andersen, Midtjysk Flyveskole© 2025 218