What Determines the Temperature of a Planet?
When talking about planets, one of the most curious questions remains to be “what determines the temperature?” Every planet in the solar system has its own average temperature, and it’s up to forces from beyond its atmosphere to affect its temperature. Though it is largely the same processes dictating the temperature for each planet, the exact formula for its temperature is different for each due to the variance in each one’s size, rotation, and atmospheric composition. Here’s a closer look at the variables that make up a planet’s temperature.
Solar Energy as a Variable
The biggest factor in determining planetary temperature is what is known as “solar energy.” Solar energy is energy from the Sun that impacts a planet. Every planet in the solar system absorbs light rays from the sun, which heat up the planet. This light energy is referred to as “total solar irradiance (TSI).”
Albedo as a Variable
The planet’s albedo, which is a measure of how much light a planet reflects off its surface, is another important factor in determining its temperature. A planet’s albedo can be affected by its color, clouds, atmosphere, or other elements, and it plays a huge part in how much energy is absorbed or reflected by the planet. So, the higher the albedo, the cooler the planet will be, and vice versa.
Planet Size and Distance from Sun as Variables
The size of a planet and its distance from the Sun can also have an impact on its temperature. A larger planet has more mass, which means it is able to absorb and retain more energy from the sun. On the other hand, a smaller planet doesn’t have as much mass, so it absorbs and retains less energy from the sun. Similarly, planets that are closer to the sun are warmer than planets that are farther away, because of the additional energy from the sun that is absorbed by the planet.
Atmospheric Composition as a Variable
Finally, the atmospheric composition of a planet is another big factor in determining its temperature. Different planets have different atmospheric compositions, meaning that the amount of energy absorption and retention is different for each. For instance, Earth’s atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and oxygen, and it is able to absorb that energy from the sun, while Mars’ atmosphere is composed of carbon dioxide, which absorbs energy differently.
Understanding how a planet’s temperature is affected by the various factors involved can help us better understand the universe and the planet we live on. Solar energy, albedo, planet size and distance from the Sun, and atmospheric composition, all play a role in determining the temperature of a planet. By understanding the individual impact each factor has, and how it affects the average temperature of a planet, we can better understand the universe.
