Planets - Realism

[karakris]

Sorry to be so Picky.

It is not a problem with the Solar System - we already know the Average Surface Temperature of the actual existing Planets -
Which depends upon distance from the Sun, the actual energy output from the Sun, perhaps related to the Surface Temperature and Mass.  It also of course depends on the composition of the Atmosphere ( if any ), and perhaps Geological Activity ( even "ice geology" in some cases ).

However - actual Planets even in the Solar System WILL have Average Surface Temperatures, Atmospheric Compositions ( or none ), Water Coverage ( or none ).

So we create a new Star System - define the Star Mass, Surface Termperature, Colour
Hmmm - it would really be nice to actually SET the Star Class - K5, T2, A8 - Etc.

So we put Planets into Orbit - setting Mass, Diameter.  We adjust their orbital data, distance from Star, degree of ellipticity, angle of orbit to normal plane.
Hmm - how hot is it on the surface ??  How much Water ??  What Atmosphere ??
Is it Habitable ??  How can we tell ??

[atomic7732]

Use the formula for effective surface temperature. Water? Who knows, depends on teh metallicity of the star and what was in the solar nebula. Same thing for atmosphere... Again, effective surface temp formula.

Effective Temp (K) = StarTemp (K) * sqrt(StarRadius (sols))/(2D(AU))

Maybe Dan could add a list of useful formulae that have textboxes to type numbers and you hit "calculate" and you've got the answer.

[karakris]

Thanks - will have to see about that

So what you are saying is that the Temp of the Planet will auto adjust ??

Water - well I sort of specify that for Planets

After all - we are not gonna go scouting loads of systems with no habitable planets.

[atomic7732]

effective temp is with no atmosphere. I think you can caluculate greenhouse effect to warm the planet.

[Dan Dixon]

Good ideas. This is something I would like to see in a future version of Universe Sandbox.

Can someone add the individual ideas to the list?
http://universesandbox.com/forum/index.php/topic,3094.0.html