Total Irradiance Monitor
Quick Summary
The Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM) is an instrument used to measure the solar irradiance, which is the amount of solar power received per unit area at the top of Earth's atmosphere. This measurement is crucial for understanding climate and its variations. Direct measurements of solar irradiance have been available from satellites since the late 1970s, showing a small variation of about 0.1 percent. However, indirect measures from historical sunspot data extend further back, though with greater uncertainty for long-term solar output changes. Variations in solar output are a natural influence on Earth's climate.12
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