I need the temperature too!
2007-10-26 15:41:28 · 6 answers · asked by lilchiquita92 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
In a sense, this is kind of a hard question to answer. The closest planets to the sun, not including Earth, go through extreme temperature changes. Mercury for example goes from 510ºC in the sunlight to a -210ºC in the darkness. This is because it cannot hold a normal atmosphere which will help prevent extreme temperature drops without direct sunlight. When you think about the fact that absolute zero (the coldest temperature possible) is -273ºC, this is quite amazing.
Alternately, the coldest planet is Neptune because Pluto is technically no longer a planet. Because of its extreme distance from the Sun, it remains at virtually the same temperature at all times -214ºC, only slightly colder than the dark side of Mercury.
However, if you want to talk about the planet with the hottest average temperature, that would be Venus. This is because Venus is covered in thick clouds, creating a greenhouse effect and keeping the planet anywhere from 13ºC to 202ºC. So even on the "dark side" of the planet, it is still far warmer than the dark side of Mercury even though Mercury is closer.
So in short, the planet that has the highest possible temperature is Mercury at 510ºC.
The planet that has the highest AVERAGE temperature is Venus ranging anywhere from 13-202ºC.
The planet with the coldest temperature is Neptune at a near constant -214ºC.
Hope this helps!
2007-10-26 16:02:31 · answer #1 · answered by Eagle1 Fox2 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The coldest planet used to be pluto, when it was still considered a planet. It was measured to be, at lowest, -238 degrees celsius.
The coldest object in the solar system is triton, which is a moon of neptune.
The warmest planet is venus, with temperatures as high as 480 degrees celsius. This is due to the immense greenhouse effect on the planet, which has thick clouds that effectively insulate it.
2007-10-26 22:52:26 · answer #2 · answered by spindoctoradam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like just in this solar system?
The hottest: Its not Mercury, but its close.
The coldest: Which one is furthest from the Sun? (remember Pluto isn't a planet anymore)
Once you figure that out, you can look up the temps.
2007-10-26 22:47:50 · answer #3 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mercury is the Hottest because its the closest to the sun. Sedna (dwarf planet) is the farthest planet away average distance from sun is 486 in semimajor axis, AU the size it is estimated is 1,800 KM.
2007-10-27 00:42:36 · answer #4 · answered by THAT GUY 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pluto
2007-10-26 23:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by Denisse la catecumena lol 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto isnt a planet anymore? Where have I been?
2007-10-26 22:50:23 · answer #6 · answered by kittypurplegirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋