Cloud Absorption

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Cloud Absorption

The absorption of electromagnetic radiation by the water drops and water vapor within a cloud. Compare cloud attenuation.
For insolation (incoming solar radiation), clouds absorb rather small fractions, particularly of the shorter wavelengths. Even for depths of clouds of the order of 20,000 feet, measurements suggest absorptions of less than 30 percent, while layers only 1000 to 2000 feet thick may absorb only about 5 percent. However, for long wave terrestrial radiation, even very thin layers of cloud act as almost complete black-body absorbers.

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use