Interannual variability of the solar constant

Abstract

It can be concluded from the calculations performed of interannual variations of the distance between the Sun and the Earth in the moments of the Earth’s position in the equinoctial and solstitial points that the mean amplitude (approximately the same for all the equinoctial and solstitial points) is determined to be equal to 5700 km (at the maximum values being approximately equal to 15000 km). The values of the solar constant have been calculated on the basis of the data of varying distances, and the values of its interannual variability (for the period from 1900 up to 2050) have determined. Based on the analysis of the series, new periodic characteristics of a long-term variation of the solar constant, related to the celestial-mechanical process, namely, to the perturbed orbital motion of the Earth, are obtained. A three-year cycle is distinguished in the interannual variability of the solar constant, which alternates with a two-year cycle every eight and eleven years. The amplitude of the interannual variability in the series of equinoctial and solstitial points is on average about 0.1 W/m2 (about 0.008% of the solar constant value). This is comparable to the interannual variability of the solar constant in the eleven-year cycle of the solar activity. The series obtained can be represented by alternation of eleven-year and eight-year cycles. The eleven-year cycle is composed of three three-year cycles and one two-year cycle, and the eight-year cycle is composed of two three-year cycles and one two-year cycle.