Spain and Greece have long been popular holiday destinations for Britons looking to escape the unpredictable and disappointing English summer. However, it turns out that Chile is actually the sunniest place on Earth. Scientists have determined that a desert near the Andes in northern Chile, specifically the Chajnantor Plateau, receives the highest amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, even comparable to Venus. The University of Santiago led the analysis, concluding that the cloudless conditions in the Atacama Desert contribute to the extreme sunlight.
Most places on Earth have thick clouds that block a large proportion of sunlight from reaching the ground. However, the Chajnantor Plateau experiences “thin” clouds, allowing for intense focus of the sun’s rays on the surface. Surprisingly, solar radiation during these thin cloud periods can be worse than cloudless conditions. The plateau receives very little rainfall and experiences average temperatures just above 39.2°F (4°C) during the summer due to adjacent Pacific Ocean water currents from Antarctica. The extreme conditions have not been observed anywhere else on the planet.
Scientists published a five-year dataset from an observatory on the northwestern border of the Chajnantor Plateau, demonstrating its high level of horizontal shortwave radiation. Additionally, they discovered a phenomenon called “forward scattering,” which triggers intense bursts of sunlight among nearby clouds. While thick clouds protect us from harmful sun rays and slow down ice sheet melting, the thin clouds in this Chilean desert allow for unparalleled solar extremes. This unique environment makes the plateau a potential location for solar plants in the future.
Comparing the Chajnantor Plateau to Venus, the planet’s ozone layer sits 62 miles above the surface with solar irradiance of 2601.3 W m−2, while the plateau receives 308 W m−2. However, unlike the plateau, Venus experiences temperatures exceeding 880°F (470°C) due to its dense atmosphere filled with carbon dioxide and sulphuric acid clouds. This heat-trapping atmosphere makes Venus the hottest planet in our solar system.
In contrast to the extreme heatwave sweeping across Europe, the UK is not experiencing the same high temperatures. Experts attribute the scorching temperatures in Europe to three factors: El Niño, a stationary high-pressure system, and climate change. This heatwave, known as Cerberus, has forced cities like Rome, Bologna, and Florence to issue red alert warnings as temperatures reach unbearable levels. Spain, France, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey are expected to surpass 40°C, while Italy may see temperatures as high as 48.8°C.
In conclusion, while Spain and Greece have long been popular holiday hotspots for Britons seeking sun, Chile’s Atacama Desert offers the sunniest spot on Earth. The extreme sunlight conditions on the Chajnantor Plateau, with its unique cloudless environment, make it an unparalleled location for solar radiation. However, it’s important to note that the temperatures in this desert are extreme and not suitable for sunbathing. Meanwhile, Europe is experiencing a heatwave due to a combination of factors including El Niño, a high-pressure system, and climate change. This heatwave is causing red alerts and unbearable temperatures in several cities across the continent.
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