How do scientists estimate the temperature of a planet from far away?
Quick Answer
They measure the light and heat a planet emits or reflects, then use physics to estimate its surface or cloud temperature.
The Full Story
Astronomers can estimate a planet's temperature by studying its brightness in visible light, infrared light, and sometimes radio wavelengths. A planet closer to its star is usually warmer, but atmospheric gases, clouds, and reflectivity can change the result significantly. Space telescopes like Spitzer and James Webb have been especially useful for measuring infrared heat from distant planets. For exoplanets, scientists often distinguish between equilibrium temperature and the actual temperature at specific layers of the atmosphere.
Key Facts
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