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What is planetary albedo?

Quick Answer

Planetary albedo is how much sunlight a planet reflects back into space.

The Full Story

Albedo is a measure of reflectivity, expressed as a fraction or percentage of incoming sunlight. Bright, cloud-covered or icy worlds reflect more light, while dark surfaces absorb more. Venus has a very high albedo because of its thick cloud layers, while Mercury reflects less overall. Albedo affects a planet’s temperature and climate by controlling how much solar energy it absorbs.

Key Facts

1.Venus has a high albedo because of its clouds
2.Albedo measures reflected sunlight
3.It influences planetary temperature

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Suggested video title for this topic:

"Why some planets shine like mirrors and others absorb more sunlight"

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