Definition
Heat is transferred in planetary and satellite interiors and atmospheres from regions of high temperature to regions of lower temperature. The heat transfer mechanisms are heat conduction, convection, and radiation.
Overview
In planetary interiors, heat is generated by the decay of the radiogenic isotopes 235U, 238U, 237Th, and 40K. In addition, latent heat may be released and consumed through phase transitions, including melting and crystallization. The dissipation of kinetic energy of planetesimals colliding with the protoplanets during planetary accretion has heated the planetary interiors, in some cases up to the melting temperatures of their outer layers. The formation of the cores in terrestrial planets through differentiation has further heated the deep interiors. Since planetary surfaces are colder – their temperature being determined by the rate of solar radiation and the atmosphere greenhouse effect– heat is transferred to these surfaces from the deep interior....
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References
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Further Reading
Pierrehumbert RT (2010) Principles of planetary climate. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Seager S (2010) Exoplanet atmospheres: physical processes. Princeton University Press, Princeton
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Spohn, T., Kaltenegger, L., Plesa, A. (2022). Heat Transfer, Planetary. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_710-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_710-3
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Chapter history
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Latest
Heat Transfer, Planetary- Published:
- 23 December 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_710-3
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Original
Heat Transfer, Planetary- Published:
- 18 April 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_710-2