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!