Radiation Budget Data Trading Card

Scientists are able to use the data obtained by ERBE instruments to determine the Earth's albedo.

Albedo, the fractional amount of sunlight that the Earth reflects back into space, is determined from measurements of the total amount of sunlight reaching the Earth and the total amount of sunlight reflected from the Earth back into space.

An albedo of 25% would mean that 1/4 of incoming sunlight is reflected back into space.

• About global-scale measurements from NASA's Earth Observatory Satellites.
• View the ERBE Quicktime movie illustrating ERBE data!
  (see Notes on how to view the ERBE Quicktime Movie).