Astronomical Methods and the Terrestrial Climate: An Estimation of the Earth’s Albedo Based on Self-Obtained Data

The recording and processing of self-recorded data is of great importance in astronomy and physics classes. However, within climate science, it is difficult to self-record relevant data. The article shows how learners can reproduce the method of albedo determination by astronomical observation, obtain their own data and evaluate them. The focus is on the usage of a simple recording system and the handling of scattered light, which is the major source of error. With the determination of the albedo of the Earth, the students learn to determine a quantity themselves, which is of elementary importance for the average surface temperature of the Earth, and which therefore also has a decisive influence on climate change.