[Space] How much does a Gas Giant heat it's moons?

[scc]

I've done a search of the forums (Via Google) and I can't seem to find anything that answers this question.

What sort of adjustment should I make to blackbody temperatures of moons of Gas Giants?

[Nereidalbel]

Surface temperature? Negligible. As for core temperatures, that depends on how elliptical the orbit is. If it's elliptical enough, the moon's core can stay molten, and there can be active volcanism. Europa has a liquid ocean inder its icy crust for this very reason.

[blacksmith]

Depends on how hot the gas giant is. Jupiter emits more heat than it absorbs. And the heating effect isn't from the elliptical nature of the orbit but friction from tidal stresses. Once it becomes tide locked those will not heat the moon more. And Io is a better example of a moon b ring heated.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

Surface temperature? Negligible. As for core temperatures, that depends on how elliptical the orbit is. If it's elliptical enough, the moon's core can stay molten, and there can be active volcanism. Europa has a liquid ocean inder its icy crust for this very reason.

Actually, it's mostly because of tidal interactions with the other Jovian moons.

[scc]

And then there's the possibility that some sort of fusion is going on inside the planets core

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by scc

And then there's the possibility that some sort of fusion is going on inside the planets core

If there's fusion going on, it's not a gas giant, it's a small star (possibly a brown dwarf, if it's only D-D).

[scc]

Nope, Brown Dwarfs are defined by the type of fusion that occurs, or something along those lines.

There's also the amount of light reflected off the Gas Giant

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by scc

I've done a search of the forums (Via Google) and I can't seem to find anything that answers this question.

What sort of adjustment should I make to blackbody temperatures of moons of Gas Giants?

Early during the formation of a solar system, this might be significant. E.g the relative abundance of water on Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto might be a direct result of how close they were/are to Jupiter. E.g. Io has no water because it was so hot due it's proximity to Jupiter that water would not condense out of the solar nebula.

Maybe search for how long it takes Gas Giants to cool. They warm as contract, differentiate, and accrete planetismals. My guess is you'll find they're cool enough to ignore as a significant source of heating their moons after a few million years. For systems that are younger than that, treat the still warm Gas Giants as a star of equivalent temperature.

[Flyndaran]

In Space, even brown dwarfs don't radiate significant heat for more than a few million years.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by scc

Nope, Brown Dwarfs are defined by the type of fusion that occurs, or something along those lines.

Brown dwarfs are stars, not planets.