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Explore Albedo

An image of the Sun shining on a snowy surface.
Levels
  • Introductory (K-5)
  • Intermediate (6-8)
Material Type
  • Activity/Hands-on
Heliophysics Big Ideas
  • Big Idea 1.3 – The Sun’s energy drives Earth’s climate…
NGSS
  • ESS2 - Earth's Systems
  • PS3 - Energy
Heliophysics Topics
  • Energy
  • Climate Change
Material Cost per Learner 1 cent – $1
Language English

Create an albedo collage and see which surfaces absorb or reflect heat. Albedo is the measure of how much light something reflects. The more light something absorbs, the lower its albedo and the warmer it will get. Areas with high albedo reflect more light and energy and stay cooler. The Earth reflects about 30% of the Sun’s energy. Different regions of Earth have different land cover, and they reflect sunlight in different amounts.