Radiated infrared waves are not absorbed by the spacecraft (metal) at the same rate as the atmosphere (gas molecules). A few gas molecules can absorb enough infrared waves to reach a given temperature much faster than the spacecraft. Not to mention that the hot part of the spacecraft is continually radiating that heat back into space (clear when looking at orbital decay rates vs expected) as well as trying to reach equilibrium with the cold (unlit) site of the space craft.
tl;dr - the difference between radiated heat and conducted heat
The sun emits more frequencies than infrared, do they also not heat up metal?
tl;dr - the difference between radiated heat and conducted heat
read again
It just doesn't seem right that the very sparse air molecules could get so hot, but metal couldn't reach the same temperature. This is the sun we're talking about.
But I can't make my own sun and test this for myself down here on earth...
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