Scientists from the University of Groningen discovered that the Atacama Desert in Chile is the sunniest place on Earth, receiving as much sunlight as Venus. The research was published in the journal Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
The authors of the study found that solar radiation on the Altiplano plateau is 2177 watts per square meter. The authors noted that a person on Venus, a planet that is 28% closer to the Sun than Earth, could receive the same radiation. According to the research, the radiation in the upper atmosphere of the Earth is about 1360 watts per square meter.
At the same time, the Altiplano at 4000 meters altitude is generally cooler, although it receives more solar radiation than those located closer to the equator or at higher altitudes. The Atacama Desert, an arid plateau near the Andes in Chile, is the oldest desert in the world and perhaps the best place to watch the night sky.
As the scientists explain, when solar radiation enters the atmosphere, it is absorbed by water vapor and scattered by clouds. These effects are minimal on the Altiplano plateau. The authors noted that people working in the desert should be especially careful, as solar radiation can lead to the development of skin cancer.
Formerly a dermatologist said about the mistakes people make when applying sunscreen.
Source: Gazeta
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