The rate of heat transfer through radiation is given by the Stefan-Boltzmann law of radiation, which needs a correction when a radiating body is also absorbing radiation from its surroundings. Consider a body at temperature T1 radiating heat in the atmosphere. Simultaneously, another body at temperature T2, placed near the first body, is also emitting heat. In this situation, the first body, along with radiating, also starts absorbing heat. The rate of heat absorbed by the first body can be given in terms of the temperature of the surrounding body. So, the net rate of radiation from the first body can be evaluated by finding the difference between the heat radiated and the heat absorbed; this gives a refined equation for the Stefan-Boltzmann law of radiation. If the value of the net radiation rate is positive, it implies that the heat transfer is taking place from the first body to its surrounding body.