Solar climate

At the equator , where the sun’s rays are perpendicular to the earth’s surface, the same solar energy is distributed over a smaller area, respectively, each section receives more radiant energy than at other latitudes

Solar climate (radiation climate) - theoretically calculated receipt and distribution of solar radiation over the surface of the globe , while climate-forming factors of a particular area are not taken into account, it depends on astronomical factors, geographical latitude and time of year ^{[1] [2]} .

The radiant energy of the sun is an essential element of the climate, affecting its other characteristics, primarily temperature . The tremendous energy released during nuclear fusion on the Sun is radiated into outer space. The power of solar radiation received by the planet depends on its size and distance from the sun. In the upper part of the Earth’s atmosphere, each square meter perpendicular to the sun’s rays receives 1365 W ± 3.4% of solar energy ^[3] . The total flux of solar radiation passing per unit time through a unit area, oriented perpendicular to the flux, at the distance of one astronomical unit from the Sun outside the Earth’s atmosphere, is called the solar constant ^[4] . Energy varies throughout the year due to the ellipticity of the Earth’s orbit, the largest power absorbed by the Earth in January. Despite the fact that about 31% of the received radiation is reflected back into space, the remaining part is sufficient to maintain atmospheric and ocean currents, and to provide energy to almost all biological processes on Earth ^[3] .

The ratio of the inclination of the axis of rotation of the Earth with the position of the tropics ( northern and southern ) and the polar circles

The energy received by the earth's surface depends on the angle of incidence of sunlight. It is the largest if this angle is straight, because with an inclined incidence of rays the same energy is distributed over a large area. However, most of the earth's surface is not perpendicular to the sun's rays. The slope of the rays depends on the latitude of the terrain, time of year and day, it is greatest at noon on June 22 north of the Tropic of Cancer and December 22 south of the Tropic of Capricorn , in the tropics a maximum (90 °) is reached 2 times a year ^[3] .

Another major factor determining the latitudinal climatic regime is the duration of daylight hours . Beyond the polar circles , i.e. north of 66.5 ° C. w. and south of 66.5 ° S w. The daylight hours vary from zero (in winter) to 24 hours in the summer, at the equator 12 hours a day all year round. Since seasonal changes in the angle of inclination and the length of the day are more noticeable at higher latitudes, the amplitude of temperature fluctuations during the year decreases from poles to low latitudes ^[3] .