eli5: Why isn’t outer space hot (or at least not freezing)?

2.61K views

The sun warms up our planet but space is cold. If I lit a candle and stood 20 feet away, I could see the light but not feel the warmth. So, why do we feel warmth from the sun but space isn’t warmed by it?

In: 512

48 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

IN space, heat is transfered by electromagnetic radition including UV rays. A candle 20 feet awat wont produce enough EMR to warm you. When there is no EMR, you will freeze.

You are viewing 1 out of 48 answers, click here to view all answers.