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Albedo
Albedo (A), given in column 5, is the fraction of energy incident on
the planet that is reflected back to space. On the other hand,
1-A is the fraction of energy that is absorbed by the planet and its
atmosphere. A perfectly absorbing body has an albedo of zero, and a
perfectly reflecting body has an albedo of 1.0. The earth has an
albedo of 0.29, which is about average for most planets. Albedo and
distance from the sun are the factors determining the effective temperature of the body. Albedo is determined by the
combined effects of reflection from the planet's surface and the reflecting and absorbing properties of its atmosphere,
as determined by its composition.