The green house effect is a process by which thermal radiation is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gasses. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface and the lower atmosphere, it results in an elevation of the average surface temperature above what it would be in the absence of the gases. Earth's actual surface temperature of approximately 14 °C, is about 50% of the Sun's energy and it is absorbed at the Earth's surface and the rest is reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere. The reflection of light back into space largely by clouds does not affect the basic mechanism. This light effectively is a lost to the system. In the solar system Mars, Venus and the moon tighten and it also exhibits green house effects. Solar radiation at the frequency of visible light largely passes through the atmosphere to warm the planetary surface called the greenhouse effect.