How hot is the sun? Get to know the blistering temperatures of the star's surface, core

Approximately 4.5 billion years old, the sun – the central and largest object in our solar system – plays a huge role in supporting our planet.

Of its jobs, the sun provides energy that is vital for life on Earth. This energy comes as a result of its immense heat. But how hot is the sun exactly? 

Here is what you need to know about the sun, including how hot it is and how nuclear fusion works. 

How hot is the sun?

The sun has varying temperatures, depending on the layer. The core is the hottest part, reaching 27 million degrees Fahrenheit, according to NASA. 

Another blistering temperature comes from the sun's surface, which lingers at 10,340 degrees Fahrenheit. While it's cooler than the core, the surface is still extremely hot, and no human or animal could survive on it.

Even the sun's corona, or outermost layer of its atmosphere, reaches an excruciating temperature. In fact, the corona is hundreds of times hotter than the sun's surface, NASA says. 

According to NASA, the corona is heated by tiny explosions called nanoflares. These bursts of heat can individually reach temperatures of up to 18 million degrees. 

What is the biggest star in the universe?Its radius is 1700 times larger than the Sun's.

Nuclear fusion, explained

Nuclear fusion is a reaction that occurs in the sun and other stars and releases energy.

According to NASA, hydrogen molecules in the sun's core collide due to the immense pressure and density. This collision has great enough force that it forms a new element, helium. As these molecules merge, energy is released from leftover mass, the Department of Energy says. This energy then builds up and generates heat. Inside the sun, it brings the core's temperature to 27 million degrees. 

If nuclear fusion did not occur in the sun, it would be unable to support the star's mass against the outward pressure, and the sun would collapse, NASA says.

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Is lava hotter than the sun?

While lava is intensely hot, it is not hotter than the sun. On average, lava can range between 1,300 to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on its location, according to Wonderopolis, a website run by the National Center for Families Learning. 

It's safe to say the sun at all parts is much hotter than lava. 

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