jääkiirgust

Jääkiirgust, often translated as ice radiation, refers to the thermal radiation emitted by ice and snow surfaces. Like all objects with a temperature above absolute zero, ice and snow emit electromagnetic radiation. The spectral distribution and intensity of this radiation depend on the temperature of the ice or snow. In cold environments, ice and snow surfaces can be significant emitters of longwave infrared radiation.

This phenomenon has practical implications in various fields. In meteorology and climate science, understanding ice radiation is crucial for studying the Earth's energy balance, particularly in polar regions. It influences surface temperature, atmospheric temperature profiles, and the melting and freezing processes of ice and snow. Remote sensing technologies, such as satellites equipped with infrared sensors, can detect and measure ice radiation to monitor snow cover extent, ice thickness, and changes in glacial and sea ice.

In engineering, particularly in applications involving refrigeration or cryogenics, the radiation from ice surfaces needs to be accounted for to manage heat transfer effectively. For instance, in cold storage facilities, unwanted radiation from ice can contribute to energy loss. Conversely, in some specialized applications, controlled emission might be a factor. The emissivity of ice and snow, which is the efficiency with which they radiate thermal energy, is a key parameter in these calculations and can vary depending on factors like surface roughness, impurities, and grain size.