Interactive space science

Orbit Lab

Build a fictional planetary system and estimate its equilibrium temperature. The model is intentionally simplified: atmosphere, clouds, rotation, and chemistry can radically change a real planet.

How much energy the star emits compared with the Sun.
One astronomical unit is the average Earth–Sun distance.
Higher values reflect more incoming starlight.
Estimated equilibrium temperature255 K−18 °C
Temperate candidate

What the number means

Equilibrium temperature estimates how warm a planet would be if absorbed starlight and emitted heat were balanced, without modeling a greenhouse atmosphere.

Why Earth is warmer

Earth’s measured average surface temperature is higher than its simple equilibrium estimate because greenhouse gases retain some outgoing infrared energy.

Habitability is complicated

Liquid water also depends on pressure, atmosphere, chemistry, radiation, geology, and time. A pleasant-looking number is not proof of life.