Weather & Calamities
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Planetary Equilibrium Temperature

The temperature a planet would settle at from sunlight alone, before greenhouse warming.

Formula

Te=[S(1−α)4σ]1/4T_e = \left[\frac{S(1-\alpha)}{4\sigma}\right]^{1/4}

Variables

TₑEquilibrium temperature (K)
SSolar constant (W/m²)
αAlbedo (reflectivity)
σStefan–Boltzmann constant

Example

Earth: Tₑ ≈ 255 K (−18°C) before greenhouse gases

Did You Know?

The 33°C gap between this and Earth’s real 15°C average is the greenhouse effect.

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