See what the average surface temperature of Earth and other planets is

Brazil has been experiencing heat waves throughout the spring. High temperatures changed routine in the country, which faced high demand for electricity and even a shortage of ice cream in some places. Heat-related health problems also needed greater attention. The same phenomenon was recorded in Europe and the United States during the summer period in the northern hemisphere, which occurs between the months of June and September.

The climate on planet Earth is complex. Proof of this is the record of extreme temperatures — hot or cold — at the same time in different regions. The advancement of climate change tends to make this system even more complicated.

Despite the large temperature variations, there is an average that is recorded with data from different parts of the globe — on planet Earth and on other planets from which it is possible to obtain data. This information helps to understand how some planets can harbor life and others cannot, for example.

According to NASA, even with the rise and fall of thermometers and the different weather phenomena that occur on the planet, the Earth’s surface has an average temperature of 15ºC.

What is the highest temperature recorded on planet Earth?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), of the US Department of Commerce, the record for the highest temperature on the planet is 56.7ºC and was recorded in Death Valley, California, in 1913. The lowest temperature was recorded in 1983, at the Vostok station, in Antarctica: -89.2ºC.

In a text published this month, NASA explains that, despite having the most hospitable temperatures compared to other planets in the Solar System, Earth is usually the target of a wide variety of weather phenomena, which explains the extremes recorded.

“[A Terra] It is a dynamic and stormy planet with everything from clear, sunny days, to brief rain showers, to tornadoes, to violent hurricanes, to blizzards and dust storms,” the text says.

Only two planets have an average surface temperature higher than Earth’s: Venus and Mercury. Although Mercury is the closest to the Sun, Venus tops the list of hottest planets in the Solar System, with an average of 464ºC.

“Venus is shrouded in clouds and has a dense atmosphere that acts as a greenhouse and heats the surface above the melting point of lead,” explained NASA.

Mercury, in turn, has an average of 167ºC, but the maximum temperatures recorded there can reach 430ºC during the day and drop to -180ºC at night. The composition of the atmosphere, in these cases, adds its influence to that of the proximity to the Sun, the main source of light and heat in the Solar System.

Check out the complete ranking of the average surface temperatures of the planets in the Solar System:

1. Venus : 464ºC

2. Mercury : 167ºC

3. Earth : 15ºC

4. Mars : -65ºC

5. Jupiter : -110ºC

6. Saturn -140ºC

7. Uranus : -195ºC

8. Neptune : -200ºC

Now classified as a dwarf planet Pluto is considered too cold to support life and has an average surface temperature of -375ºC.

Effects of heat waves around the world

Parts of Spain, Croatia, France, Greece and Italy faced intense heat, with temperatures exceeding the 40ºC barrier. In Brazil, last week’s heat wave intensified extreme weather events, such as the historic drought in the North and Northeast of the country, rain in the South, heat in the Center-West and instability in the Southeast.

Due to the heat, the show that singer Taylor Swift would perform in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday (18) was postponed until this Monday (20). During the day, the capital of Rio de Janeiro recorded a record thermal sensation (59.7ºC) and also had the highest temperature since 2008, with thermometers hitting 44.2ºC.

At Friday’s presentation, a fan of the North American died after feeling ill and more than 1,000 fainting spells were recorded by the Rio de Janeiro Fire Department.

See impacts of climate change