Wednesday 15 December 2010

Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe

Subtle temperature differences in the cosmic microwave background - the glow of the first atoms to release their radiation 380,000 years after the Big Bang




Tuesday 7 December 2010

Sea Level Rise - Observation versus Prediction

 Sea level change. Tide gauge data are indicated in red and satellite data in blue. The grey band shows the projections of the IPCC Third Assessment report (Allison et al 2009).

September Ice Age: 1981 to 2010

Monday 6 December 2010

Measure of the Greenhouse Effect



















Outgoing spectral radiance at the top of Earth's atmosphere showing the absorption at specific frequencies and the principle absorber. For comparison, the red curve shows the flux from a classic "blackbody" at 294°K (≈31°C ≈ 69.5°F).






A satellite map of the outgoing longwave radiation emitted by Earth in September 2008 demonstrates not only geographical variations but also those caused by cloud presence. More heat escapes from areas just north and south of the equator, where the surface is warmer and there are fewer clouds. (Image: NASA/Earth Observatory/Robert Simmon from CERES data.