| Name |
Surface Albedo [1 Km] |
| Acronym |
|
| Description |
The surface albedo quantifies the fraction of the sunlight reflected by the surface of the Earth. Different albedo concepts are defined: 1) the directional albedo or directional-hemispherical reflectance (also called black-sky albedo) is the integration of the bi-directional reflectance over the viewing hemisphere. It assumes all energy is coming from a direct radiation from the sun, it is computed for a specific time; 2) the hemispherical albedo or bi-hemispherical reflectance (also called white-sky albedo) is the integration of the directional albedo over the illumination hemisphere. It assumes a complete diffuse illumination.
The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) specified the black-sky albedo (directional albedo) as an Essential Climate Variable and the product is required for climate change purposes. |
| Note |
|
| Status |
Operational |
|
Group
|
GLC Energy |
|
Area
|
Global |
| Component |
Bio-geophysical Parameters
|
| Service |
Copernicus Land Monitoring Service
|
| Entrusted Entities |
European Environment Agency
Joint Research Centre
|
| Created on |
Nov. 6, 2017, 1:53 p.m. |
| Last updated on |
April 16, 2024, 10:03 a.m. |