Subject: Re: [LPNY DISCUSS] Aliens Cause Global Warming by Michael Crichton
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 00:34:31 -0500
To:        <lpny_discuss@yahoogroups.com>
From:     Bob Armstrong <bob@cosy.com>
On Wed, 28 Jan 2004 23:59:07 -0500, Blay Tarnoff wrote:
>=A0Bob Armstrong wrote:
>=A0>
>=A0>=A0Blay Tarnoff wrote:
>=A0>=A0>
>=A0>=A0>=A0Re Bob's theory, though, I've seen it and I'm sorry
>=A0>=A0>=A0to say that while I'd like to believe it, I think
>=A0>=A0>=A0it is completely without merit.
>=A0>
>=A0>=A0Well , you're wrong .
>
>=A0Oh. =A0I didn't realize it had evolved from a theory into a=
 dogma.

 Nope , just understanding .

>=A0>=A0The mean temperature of the earth is determined by
>=A0>=A0the black body temperature of the sun and the
>=A0>=A0steradians its disk subtends averaged with the
>=A0>=A0approximately 3 degree K temperature of all other
>=A0>=A0directions . This comes to about 15 degrees Celsius .
>
>=A0I don't know what most of this means, but I think it is hogwash=
 anyway.

 Now THAT sounds dogmatic .

>=A0Can you explain it in English?

 Look up the words . They are in any physics text book . 
 A steradian is the unit of solid angle analogous to a radian .
 There are 4 pi steradians in a sphere . Black Body temperature
 is what Planck found a century ago was totally descriptive of
 the energy output of a thermally radiant source . The=
 explanation
 of its distribution necessitated quantum theory .

>=A0Then, explain how if it were possible to=A0encase the Earth in
> a glass bubble 100 miles up that we would not be any
>=A0hotter down here.

 I don't know .  But the MEAN temperature of that sphere would be=
 the
 same as it is now . ( In fact I don't think that would have=
 much
 effect on the vertical temperature distribution because that's
 pretty much above the atmosphere . The main effect would be the
 conversion of UV energy to Infra-red at that surface . )

>=A0>=A0Increased atmospheric insulation will decrease peak
>=A0>=A0day time temperature and increase minimum night time
>=A0>=A0temperature , eg , cloudy days and nights .
>
>=A0So, you admit that atmospheric conditions can affect global
>=A0temperature. =A0Isn't your thesis that atmospheric conditions=
 (or,
>=A0anything else that we can possibly do on the surface of this=
 planet, for
>=A0that matter) are irrelevant? =A0This sounds like a fatal=
 contradiction to
>=A0me.

 My statement is about MEAN temperature . THAT , we can have NO=
 effect on .

 Let me ask you in return :  What is the "null hypothesis"=
 temperature
 of the earth ?  Have you ever seen any statement of what the
 temperature of the earth should be "naturally" ?

--=A0
=A0Bob Armstrong -- http://CoSy.com -- 212-285-1864
CoSy MidWinter Party : http://cosy.com/y04/MidWinter17.htm