by rigelan » Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:19 pm
Could it have to do with the optical density of the oceans? The oceans had a certain brightness, but when it was stretched out to fit that particular earth-projection, that particular part got darker?
Or maybe some of the light of the oceans is actually reflections from the light of the moon, in which case the poles would get less just like they get less of the sun's light.
Or maybe the different coldness of the water affects the density of the water, which changes its albedo (ability to reflect light).
Maybe it has to do with wind/water currents or depths that change the relative shape of the wave in different locations, altering how it reflects light.
Can't say for sure, but these are my guesses. Maybe it'll spark someone to come up with a more complete answer.
Could it have to do with the optical density of the oceans? The oceans had a certain brightness, but when it was stretched out to fit that particular earth-projection, that particular part got darker?
Or maybe some of the light of the oceans is actually reflections from the light of the moon, in which case the poles would get less just like they get less of the sun's light.
Or maybe the different coldness of the water affects the density of the water, which changes its albedo (ability to reflect light).
Maybe it has to do with wind/water currents or depths that change the relative shape of the wave in different locations, altering how it reflects light.
Can't say for sure, but these are my guesses. Maybe it'll spark someone to come up with a more complete answer.