effective temperature

views updated May 09 2018

effective temperature The temperature of a planetary surface in the absence of an atmosphere. The effective temperature of Earth is some 35–40°C lower than the actual Earth surface temperature (approximately 15°C) owing to the greenhouse effect’ of the Earth's atmosphere.

effective temperature

views updated May 08 2018

effective temperature (Te) The temperature of a planetary surface in the absence of an atmosphere. The effective temperature of Earth is some 35–40°C lower than the actual Earth surface temperature (Ts): the latter is approximately 15°C owing to the greenhouse effect of the Earth's atmosphere.