The sun's rays are hotter at noon because at that time, they have less distance to travel through the Earth's atmosphere, which reduces heat loss and increases their heat concentration per unit of surface.
At noon, the sun is high in the sky, its rays are almost coming directly to the Earth. It's a bit like a flashlight pointed straight at a surface: all the light energy is concentrated in one spot. When the sun rises or sets, its rays hit the Earth at a very steep angle, so the same solar energy spreads over a larger area. You get less heat in the same spot because the solar rays are spread out, diluting their energy. That's why it's warmer at noon than at the beginning or end of the day.
When the sun is low on the horizon, its rays do not hit the Earth directly but pass through a thicker layer of atmosphere. As this layer of air is denser, more light is absorbed or reflected before reaching the ground. The result is that solar energy is diluted, and we feel less heat when the sun rises or sets. At noon, it is the opposite; the sun high in the sky passes through a much thinner layer of air, and the majority of its energy reaches the surface intact. The shorter the passage, the warmer it is.
When solar rays arrive at an angle (like in the morning or evening), they pass through a thicker layer of air. As a result: more air, more molecules, more collisions, and thus more scattering of light. Part of the solar energy then disperses in all directions, thereby losing strength even before reaching the ground. At noon, on the contrary, the sun is directly above us: more direct, less scattering, and therefore a more intense light and a feeling that is significantly warmer. That's why the sun feels much stronger at noon than at dawn or dusk.
When the sun's rays reach the Earth, they directly heat the ground. And it is this heated ground that then warms the air just above it. At noon, the ground receives the maximum energy because the sun's rays come in almost directly overhead. As a result, the ground stores more heat in less time, and the temperature rises quickly. At sunrise or sunset, the rays arrive at an angle, so there is less energy concentrated in the same spot, and the ground heats less efficiently. That’s why even when the sun is visible, the air feels less warm at those times than when the sun is directly overhead.
Did you know that during the equinox period (spring and autumn), the sun is directly above the equator, resulting in equal lengths of day and night everywhere on Earth? It's an ideal time to observe variations in solar intensity throughout the day.
Did you know that even on cloudy days, a significant portion of solar radiation still reaches the Earth's surface because clouds scatter light rays in all directions? That's why you can get sunburned even without apparent direct sunlight!
Did you know that the reddish-orange color of the sun at sunrise and sunset is due to the preferential scattering of blue and violet colors by the atmosphere? Thus, at those times, only the red and yellow colors pass through the atmosphere to reach our eyes.
Did you know that at solar noon, also called 'true noon', the sun is at the peak of its daily trajectory, but this exact moment does not usually correspond precisely to 12:00 on the clock? This is caused by our division into time zones and the elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes, although sunlight appears weaker at sunrise or sunset, it is still dangerous to look directly at the sun, as it can cause irreversible damage to the retina. It is best to use appropriate protection for any direct observation of the sun."
Regions close to the equator receive sunlight almost perpendicularly throughout the year. As a result, the rays pass through a thinner layer of atmosphere and concentrate their energy on a smaller surface area, making these regions warmer.
Yes, clouds reflect and scatter some of the solar rays, which significantly reduces the intensity of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, resulting in a cooler feel at ground level.
At high altitudes, the atmosphere is less dense and filters ultraviolet rays from the sun less effectively. Thus, even though temperatures are cool, solar radiation is more intense, increasing the risk of sunburn.
In summer, the tilt of the Earth results in longer days and a higher solar angle, meaning that sunlight strikes the Earth more directly and for an extended period, thereby increasing the perceived warmth.
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