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Loading contentThe temperature a planet settles at from the balance of starlight absorbed and heat radiated, before any greenhouse warming. Earth's is about 255 K (−18 °C); its atmosphere lifts the surface to habitable warmth.
Formula: T_eq = T★ (1 − A)^(1/4) √(R★ / 2a)
With the default inputs, planet equilibrium temperature evaluates to 254.59 K — Earth (A = 0.3) → ~255 K. The validator recomputes this against the known value on every build, so the formula is checked, not asserted.
Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
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