What is the temperature of Outer Space?
Most of us probably know that it is cold in outer space – but how cold is it, exactly? Is the temperature of outer space the same everywhere, or does the temperature differ in different areas? Read on for answers to these questions and more.
Giving a single temperature for outer space is actually inaccurate because the temperature does vary in different areas of space. Therefore, it is difficult to sum up the temperature of space without giving some clarification of how that overall temperature was determined.
Even though we think of space as being mostly made of up various planets and stars, the reality is the vast majority of space is really just empty space – the space between planets, stars, asteroids, etc. It is in these empty spaces where the temperature of outer space is at its coldest. Scientists believe that the temperature in these areas is nearly absolute zero. Absolute zero is the scientific term for the temperature at which all activity stops – more specifically, the temperature at which molecules, atoms, and electrons stop moving. This is theoretically the coldest temperature that can be attained.
In more exact terms, the temperature of the emptiness of outer space is about 3 degrees Kelvin. In the Kelvin temperature scale, 0 degrees is absolute zero, so obviously the temperature of outer space is nearly absolute zero and very cold!
How exactly did scientists obtain the number of 3 degrees Kelvin? Is there some sort of instrument that scientists employ to take the temperature in outer space? If so, what is it and how does it work?
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Still not sure– agree with someone above that outer space is a vacuum. To feel temperature , wouldn’t you need a catalyst (atoms, some type of movement) — need a beer — too much to comprehend!! lol
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Bill…as we mention in the post, the temperature of interstellar space is about 3 degrees Kelvin. If you convert 3 degrees Kelvin to Fahrenheit, it would be -454.27. If you convert 3 degrees Kelvin to Celsius, it would be -270.15. Hope that helps.<————– BEST ANSWER FOR FAHRENHEIT AND CELSIUS FAVORED FOLKS!!!
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this is where it pays to be agnostic. it is not knowable
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Who cares…. As long as my beer don’t freeze
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did u guys see the awesome picture up top?
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wonder when they will finally figure out a feasible way to travel in outer space?
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There is no absolute 0 degrees on earth, due to various factors and elements eg: atmospheric pressures, winds, day and night, magnetic forces, etc. Absolute “0” would freeze your body instantly.
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Except God that created it
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So as you travel closer to the sun does space warm up? Is there a point somewhere where it would be a nice 75 degrees?
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Retroactive replied:
June 7th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
That’s almost an exact same question I wanted to ask, Bob. Just 1 thing Robert. You forgot to specify the fact that I can’t spell Farenheit. Does that answer your question?
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mary replied:
January 7th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
i hope so
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More practically the outer space should exist in an equilibrum of temperature since it has planets and minor planets constantly in motion even sometimes collisions occur ,which is converted easily to heat thus keeping system in equilibrum of temperature: so i opined that outes space should neither too cold or hot
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A vacuum does not have a temperature… not hot… not cold. Due to radiation from the sun, atoms in the atmosphere about 130 km from the surface of the Earth have a temperature of >100 C. http://www.haystack.mit.edu/atm/science/thermo/index.html
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Retroactive replied:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
How does that Klingon proverb go again about dishes being best served cold in space? Is this Star Trek or am I being served Romulan Ale? WTF is a Kelvin but another form of temperature that we as humans hope to accomplish the fact that the American language is a better form of ways to see how cold or hot space is?
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“Well, it’s been termed the “smell of space” by just about everyone now. When astronauts come in from a spacewalk and remove their helmets, they’ve reported smells of “seared steak,” “hot metal” and “arc welding on their motorbike.”
These are all consistent descriptions, not flukes. That lead us to conclude that the sensation is caused by some high-energy vibrations in particles brought back inside which mix with the air.”
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If you were to stand in the darkness of deep space and you’re bodys’ heat had the necessary vehicle to be absorbed by the surrounding cold, you would freeze at an “EXPLOSIVE” rate.
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Think of the Earth as something in a microwave that is heated by radiation from the sun. That is how our planet is heated in conjunction with earths core radiating heat upwards in near perfect harmony.
Someone needs to figure out how objects in space with electro magnetic fields spin at its north and south poles thusly producing free energy. I think it has something to do with the temp of space.. If scientists would look more to nature for answers to common things, the better off we all will be.
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I thought that space between stars isn’t just empty space, but a space-time fabric…
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Space is neither hot or cold,it has no temperature,this myth was perpetrated by NASA simply to explain away the fact that spacesuits could not have regulated heat.
For confirmation of this one needs to look no further than the NASA website.Google, NASA-what is the temperature of space,there you will see the people who gave you this lie confirming it is in fact a lie.
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