Substellar temperatures comparable to that of the Earth

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on determining the distance from Rigel required for a planet to achieve a substellar temperature comparable to Earth's. Rigel has a surface temperature of approximately 12,000 K and a radius 35 times that of the Sun. The concept of substellar temperature is clarified as being analogous to subsolar temperature. The inverse square law of radiation intensity is applied, concluding that a planet would need to be approximately 140 million miles from Rigel to receive equivalent radiation intensity to that of Earth.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stellar temperatures, specifically Rigel's 12,000 K surface temperature.
  • Knowledge of the inverse square law of radiation.
  • Familiarity with the concept of substellar and subsolar temperatures.
  • Basic mathematical skills for distance calculations in astrophysics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the inverse square law of radiation in astrophysics.
  • Explore the characteristics of Rigel and its impact on potential exoplanets.
  • Study the concept of habitable zones around different types of stars.
  • Learn about the methods for calculating distances in astronomical contexts.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students interested in exoplanetary science and stellar characteristics will benefit from this discussion.

Demon117
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How far from Rigel would we have to be to find a substellar temperature comparable to that of the Earth?

I know that the surface temperature of Rigel is about 12,000 K and the radius is R = 35*Radius of Sun.

Is the substellar temperature the same idea as subsolar temperature? This is the thing that confuses me the most. Also, what sort of mathematical description can we derive for this "substellar temperature"?
 
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The radiation level near a star falls off as the inverse square of the distance from the star. Therefore, since the sun has a surface temp. around 6,000 K, I presume that a planet around Rigel would need to be about 140 million miles away to receive the same radiation intensity as the earth.
 

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