In: Physics
Astronomers discover a new, potentially habitable planet: Planet X. Planet X’s sun is 50% dimmer than ours, but the distance between Planet X and its sun is half of the distance between Earth and our sun (0.5 AU), meaning it has a solar constant of 1225 W m-2.
a. If the planet’s albedo is 10% (a = 0.1), do you think there could be liquid water on this planet? Calculate the blackbody temperature of Planet X, and explain why/why not.
b. It is later found that Planet X has a CO2-rich atmosphere similar to that of Mars. Does that change the likelihood of finding liquid water on Planet X? Explain why/why not.