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The balance between energy absorbed by the earth and energy reflected back into space is fundamental in determining how warm or cool the planet becomes. The proportion of radiation reflected away by a surface is called its albedo. Albedo can range between 0 (no reflectance) and 1 (complete reflectanceâlike a mirror). The earthâs average albedo is .31, which means that, overall, the planet reflects about 31% of incoming solar radiation back into space.
What happens to solar energy when it enters the atmosphere? Over half is either reflected, deflected or absorbed as it enters our atmosphere. Of the remaining 47% that hits our planet, most is reflected as visible light and passes throâ¦ugh the atmosphere and out into space.