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| Chile's Atacama Desert |
In fact, it's considered the hottest planet in our solar system, and now scientists have discovered the place on Earth that gets the most sunlight actually gets as much light as Venus.
A study from the University of Khronijing in the Netherlands reported that the Atacama desert plateau near the Andes on the west coast of South America receives as much sunlight as Venus.
This desert is considered to be 100 times more dry and barren than Death Valley in America and there are some places where it has not rained for centuries.
Most of this desert is located in Chile, while some parts are in Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, but scientists have conducted research in the territory of Chile.
It has the second highest plateau in the world after Tibet and recorded 2177 Watts of solar energy or radiation per square meter in summer (summer in this region is from January to March).
In general, the amount of solar radiation in the Earth's atmosphere averages 1360 watts per square meter.
Scientists have said that the intensity of radiation in this desert is like being on the planet Venus.
He said the discovery was surprising because Venus is 28 percent closer to the Sun than Earth.
The plateau receives an average of 308 watts per square meter of solar radiation, the highest in the world.
According to the researchers, the opportunities for obtaining solar energy in this desert are on average twice as high compared to Central Europe and the East Coast of the United States.
In the past, satellite data showed that the desert receives the most sunlight on Earth, but this study looked at its intensity and radiation.
The research revealed that a very high intensity of radiation can be seen in the clouds over the region.
They said that clouds normally block sunlight or send it back into space, but in this desert the clouds are so thin that they act like a lens on the sunlight, that is, on the surface. Increases the intensity of solar radiation by 80%.
But the researchers said there is a difference between excess sunlight, radiation and extreme temperatures.
He said that the environment of this desert is somewhat cold because it is quite high above sea level, while it is close to the Pacific Ocean, the temperature of this area does not rise much.
