Changes in the solar constant and climatic effects

John A. Eddy, Ronald L. Gilliland, Douglas V. Hoyt

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Spacecraft measurements have established that the total radiative output of the Sun varies at the 0.1-0.3% level. The observed fluctuations are well modelled as radiative deficits proportional to the area of the solar disk covered by sunspots. Historical records of projected sunspot areas allow an accurate reconstruction of these short-term fluctuations over the past century. Such changes can be expected to perturb the terrestrial surf ace temperature by a fraction of a degree centigrade and probable evidence of this solar-induced signal has been found. The effect, though important in terms of understanding the climate system, is too small to be significant in practical weather or climate predictions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)689-693
Number of pages5
JournalNature
Volume300
Issue number5894
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 1982

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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