The temperature of lava is 4,399 K lower than the surface temperature of the Sun. Selected basis: approximate values.
Celsius and Fahrenheit zero points are offsets. Compare temperature differences, not ratios in °C or °F. The kelvin axis starts at absolute zero.
1,373 K - Temperature; defined reference.
Lava is molten rock that erupts from a volcano and flows on the Earth's surface before cooling and solidifying.
A chosen 1,100 °C lava-temperature model; composition and eruption conditions vary.
Defined examples — our methodology5,772 K - Surface temperature; approximate.
The Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System. Its light and heat power most life and weather on Earth.
Our star, modelled with the IAU nominal solar radius. “Surface” means the visible photosphere. The core is much hotter; this is not a solid surface.
IAU — nominal solar and planetary conversion constants
There’s always another scale
TemperatureLava1,373 KLava is molten rock that erupts from a volcano and flows on the Earth's surface before cooling and solidifying.
SpaceSun1,391,000 kmThe Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System.TemperatureAbsolute zero0 KAbsolute zero is the lowest temperature permitted by thermodynamics, where a system has the least thermal energy available to it.TemperatureRoom temperature20 °CRoom temperature describes indoor air conditions generally considered comfortable for people and suitable for ordinary activities.
Fundamental physicsPlanck temperature1.417 × 10³² KThe Planck temperature is a theoretical temperature scale at which quantum gravitational effects are expected to become important.
SpaceEarth12,740 kmEarth is the rocky planet on which we live and the third planet from the Sun.
SpaceJupiter139,800 kmJupiter is a giant planet composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, orbiting the Sun beyond the asteroid belt.
SpaceNeutron star20 kmA neutron star is the dense remnant core left after a massive star explodes as a supernova, composed mostly of neutrons.Side by side
Illustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scaleGot a good eye for scale?