Sky science
Geometric Albedo
Direct answer
Geometric Albedo compares a body’s brightness at full phase with an ideal flat Lambertian disk of equal cross-section.
It is a directional full-phase reflectivity measure.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related
- Planetary Albedo, Bond Albedo, Phase Angle, Solar Elongation
It is a directional full-phase reflectivity measure.
A scientific orientation to scale, light, or motion; the article supplies the precise definition.
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The story behind Geometric Albedo
Planetary photometry developed geometric albedo for comparing unresolved disks.
A one-minute story
The Wandering Stars
How the moving planets were watched, named and found, and what a transit is.
Why Geometric Albedo matters
Geometric Albedo helps interpret planetary and asteroid brightness in reflected light.
Geometric Albedo in practice: an example
A strongly backscattering surface can have geometric albedo greater than one.
Where readings of Geometric Albedo go wrong
Geometric Albedo does not state what fraction of all incident energy escapes.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- NASA Science: Solar System Exploration - NASA overview of planets, moons, small bodies, rings, and the structure of the Solar System.
- NASA Science: Universe Glossary - NASA definitions for common stellar, galactic, orbital, and high-energy astronomy terms.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Read full-phase reflectivity
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Common questions
What is geometric albedo?
Geometric Albedo compares a body’s brightness at full phase with an ideal flat Lambertian disk of equal cross-section.
What do people get wrong about geometric albedo?
Geometric Albedo does not state what fraction of all incident energy escapes.
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