Sun
The Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System.
5,772 KSurface temperatureEveryday quantities
Sun vs Fusion plasma
What are they, and what does the difference actually look like?
Two things. One honest scale.
Meet the pair
What these two things are
Fusion plasma
Fusion plasma is a state of matter where atomic nuclei and electrons are separated and nuclei can undergo nuclear fusion.
100,000,000 KTemperatureSun is 99,990,000 K cooler than Fusion plasma.
01
Sun5,772 KSurface temperature
02
Fusion plasma100,000,000 KTemperature
Celsius and Fahrenheit zero points are offsets. Compare temperature differences, not ratios in °C or °F. The kelvin axis starts at absolute zero.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Sun
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
The marked surface temperature is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Fusion plasma
A 100 million K plasma example. High temperature alone does not specify total thermal energy.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked temperature is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Change the comparison
Put something else beside it.
Measurement details
Why these numbers?
The visual compares surface temperature with temperature. The records below preserve each value’s basis and caveats.
Sun
5,772 KSurface temperature · approximate
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.
Fusion plasma
100,000,000 KTemperature · defined reference
A 100 million K plasma example. High temperature alone does not specify total thermal energy.
- Comparing
- Surface temperature ↔ Temperature
- Relative size
- Temperature comparisons use an absolute difference in kelvins rather than a multiplicative ratio.
How to read the visual
The labelled spans and stored measurements determine the scale; unmeasured illustration details do not.
- Sun is labelled approximate; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.
- Fusion plasma is labelled defined reference; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
SpaceSun1,391,000 kmThe Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System.TemperatureFusion plasma100,000,000 KFusion plasma is a state of matter where atomic nuclei and electrons are separated and nuclei can undergo nuclear fusion.
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.
SpaceEarth–Sun distance1 AUThe Earth–Sun distance, or astronomical unit, is the standard measure of separation between Earth and the Sun used in astronomy.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.Side by side
Another point of view.
