What would happen if the Sun had a temperature of 3000 or 10000 K instead?

Ah the wonders of the formula:


                       2            4
   Luminosity = 4 pi  R   x sigma  T

If the radius of the Sun, R, stayed the same, the luminosity would increase by a factor of (10,000/6,000)^4 = 39 for the high temperature case, and decrease by a factor of (3,000/6,000)^4 = 0.062 times for the low temperature. The Earth would instantly loose its oceans to evaporation and turn into a twin to Venus, while on the cool end, the oceans would freeze. To simulate these conditions today, for the high temperature scenario, we would have to move the Earth to about (1/39)^1/2 = 0.16 AU, or just inside the orbit of Mercury. For the cold situation, we would move to (1/.062)^1/2 = 4.0 AU or between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter. I would take the cooler scenario any day! Better skiing!
Copyright 1997 Dr. Sten Odenwald
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