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If a planet of radius R1 has a constant sub-surface temperature T0 at R0 < R1, what is the long-term equilibrium surface temperature T1? Say we assume constant thermal diffusivity of the planet material, surface emissivity 1.0, no atmosphere, and no incoming radiation. I figure the temperature profile is harmonic, i.e. T=a+b/R, for constants a and b, and that we can use (R0,T0) to eliminate one of these constants. Is there enough information to obtain the other constant?

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You want to equate the conductive energy flux at the surface which is a constant times T1-T0 -given your geometry and conductivity you can determine the coupling factor, with the radiative heat flux sigma*T**4. You could also add in the CMB, which is simply the same sigma*T**4 using the CMB temperature. Then you simply have a nonlinear algebraic equation in T0 to solve. It should be solvable by iteration without much effort.

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So I need to find a coupling factor k, depending on R0, R1 and the conductivity, then solve k*(T1-T0)=sigma*T1**4 for T1? That's great! Do you have any pointers about figuring out k? A reference? – SteveBrooklineMA Jan 16 '11 at 23:37
Fourier's equation gives $Q= -k Area dT/dR = -k 4 pi R^2 dT/dR$, So integrating gives $Q \int_{R0}^{R1} 1/R^2 dR = -4 pi k (T1-T0)$ or $Q = -4 pi k (T1-T0) R0 R1 / (R1 - R0).$ Setting equal to radiated flux from the surface gives: $-4 pi k (T1-T0) R0 R1 / (R1 - R0) = sigma T1^4 4 pi R1^2.$ So we need to solve that for for $T1.$ Does that seem about right? – SteveBrooklineMA Jan 17 '11 at 2:12
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That is easy: an object at temperature T0 in a zero temperature environment (no incoming radiation) will radiate till its temperature is zero. So the long term equilibrium is zero. The question as posed describes a hypothetical situation, there is no environment at zero temperature. The universe is filled with CMB radiation of finite temperature that drops in time due to the cosmic (accelerated) expansion. So the real situation is a wee bit more complicated...

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The problem assumes that the temperature at R0 is constant across time, i.e. T(R0,t)=T0 for all t>0. The question is what is T(R1,infinity) ? Assume CMB is ignored. – SteveBrooklineMA Jan 16 '11 at 18:02
The question says "If a planet of radius R1 has a constant sub-surface temperature T0 at R0 < R1, what is the long-term equilibrium surface temperature T1?" If T0 is not the starting condition, but T(R,t) = T0 for all R<R1 and all t>0, then that same value is the (trivial) answer: T(R1,t) = T0 for all t>0. – Johannes Jan 16 '11 at 18:18
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Sorry for the confusion. R0 is some given particular radius between 0 and R1, e.g. R0=5000, R1=6000 km. R is the general radial variable, as in T=a+b/R. T0 is the temperature at position R0, assumed constant throughout time.

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How can the temperature at R=R0 stay constant if at the same time you assume the body at R=R1 to radiate into a zero temperature environment? Where is the energy coming from? – Johannes Jan 16 '11 at 21:06
Let's say an internal energy source. – user1385 Jan 16 '11 at 22:00
Ok, in that case the temperature at surface is zero, so: a = -RO T0/(R1-R0) and b = R0 R1 T0/(R1-R0). – Johannes Jan 16 '11 at 23:27

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