Is Pluto's Visible Light Intensity Equal to Earth's?

In summary, the intensity of visible light on the surface of Pluto is not equivalent to Earth's, despite both being measured in lux. This is because light intensity decreases with distance from the Sun, not because it takes longer to reach Pluto. Images of distant objects in the solar system are taken with longer exposures due to this decrease in light intensity.
  • #1
Hobart
9
2
Is the visible light on the surface of Pluto equivalent in intensity to what it is on Earth? That is, is 1 lux = 1 lux even though it takes light that much longer to get there from the sun? Or are images of distant objects in the solar system taken with longer exposures?
 
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  • #2
No, light intensity drops off as a square function of distance.
 
  • #3
Lux is a unit of measurement. It doesn't change just by moving from the Earth to Pluto. However, the intensity of light does indeed drop off with distance from the Sun. Not because light has been traveling longer, but because it spreads out as it travels.
 

1. Is the visible light intensity on Pluto the same as Earth?

No, the visible light intensity on Pluto is much lower than that of Earth. This is because Pluto is much further away from the sun and receives less sunlight.

2. How is visible light intensity measured on Pluto?

Visible light intensity is measured by using a spectrometer, which measures the amount of light in different wavelengths. Scientists can use this data to compare the light intensity on Pluto to other planets.

3. Does the atmosphere on Pluto affect its visible light intensity?

Yes, the atmosphere on Pluto plays a significant role in determining its visible light intensity. Pluto's atmosphere is thin and composed mostly of nitrogen and methane, which can absorb and scatter light, making it less intense.

4. Can humans see the difference in visible light intensity between Pluto and Earth?

No, the human eye is not sensitive enough to detect the difference in visible light intensity between Pluto and Earth. However, scientists can use advanced technology to measure and compare the light intensity on both planets.

5. Is there a difference in visible light intensity between the different regions of Pluto?

Yes, there is a difference in visible light intensity between the different regions of Pluto. This is due to variations in the surface composition and reflectivity of different regions, which affects the amount of light that is reflected back into space.

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