ScienceJuly 13, 2026
insolation
/ˌɪnsəˈleɪʃən/
Definition
The measure of solar radiation energy received on a given surface area over a specific time.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Latin 'insolatus', the past participle of 'insolare', meaning 'to place in the sun'. It entered English in the 19th century as a technical term for solar exposure.
In the news
In this article, researchers propose comparing climate models under different levels of insolation to better understand how the Sun's increasing energy output will affect Earth's future habitability. It is a critical variable for predicting when the planet will become too hot to support plant life.
Scientists Just Figured Out How Much Time Is Left for Life on Earth
Read the full article ↗Popular Mechanics