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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 1: Earthshine

Have you ever thought about what the Earth looks like from space? The Earth reflects the sun’s light back into space. The moon does the same thing; we can see the moon because it reflects sunlight. Over the last few years, the amount of Earthshine reaching space has increased.

Earthshine, also called albedo, is measured at an observatory in California. Because the amount of albedo has increased, the amount of sunshine actually reaching Earth has decreased. The sun’s light is reflected back into space by clouds before it reaches land. Clouds prevent the sunshine from reaching us.

Generally, the 50% of the Earth is covered in clouds. Stratus, cumulus, and cirrus clouds are the three common types found in the sky. According to Live Science, clouds are very complex. Different types of clouds can cool or warm the Earth. The higher clouds, like cirrus, blanket the Earth and trap warmth. The lower clouds, like cumulus, cool the Earth. The amount of high clouds has increased, so the Earth’s albedo has increased. Scientists believe that the high clouds may affect the Earth’s temperature or global warming.

--Written by Katheryn Troyer

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