Radiative energy explorer

The equation is deliberately simple.

Absorbed dose per unit area = I × f × (1 − α) × t
Total energy = dose per unit area × A

I is incident surface shortwave irradiance in W/m². The fraction f is the selected reduction in that irradiance. The surface albedo α is the reflected fraction; (1 − α) is the absorbed fraction. Time t is in seconds and footprint A is in m².

The incoming radiative dose before the albedo adjustment is I × f × t: 1.008 MJ/m² in the default example. The explorer’s main result is the absorbed deficit after albedo: 0.8064 MJ/m². One square kilometre is one million square metres. One terajoule is one trillion joules. The calculator displays those conversions so the change in scale stays visible.

Hold the assumptions in view.

The inputs are constant over a uniform footprint and duration. Clouds, solar angle, spectral effects, surface variability, moving edges and changing weather are not modelled. The reduction slider describes the loss of total incoming surface shortwave; it is not a calculation of an engineered device’s opacity.

Changing the area scales the total energy. It does not establish that a platform can shade that area. Changing the duration does not establish that it can remain in position.

Energy accounting is only the beginning.

The same dose can occur under different timings and intensities, with different atmospheric responses. Soil, buildings and water store heat differently. Air transports heat and moisture across the footprint. Longwave radiation, evaporation and turbulence also matter.

Consequently, this calculation does not estimate rainfall, storm intensity, temperature, ecological safety or economic value. Those questions require validated models, observations and independent scrutiny.