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

The sun is many things, including the center and largest object in our solar system. At approximately 4.5 billion years old, this star plays a huge role in supporting our planet and everyday life. 

Of its jobs, the sun provides energy that is vital for most life on Earth. This energy comes as a result of the sun's immense heat. But 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 of the sun is its hottest part, reaching 27 million degrees Fahrenheit, or 15 million degrees Celsius, according to NASA. 

Another blistering temperature comes from the sun's surface which lingers at 10,340 degrees Fahrenheit. While its temperature is cooler than the sun's core, the surface is still extremely high, 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. 

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

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Nuclear fusion, explained

Nuclear fusion is a reaction that occurs in the sun and other stars, and in turn, it makes energy.

For the sun, the hydrogen molecules in its 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. This energy then builds up and generates heat. Inside the sun, it brings the core's temperature to 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. 

If nuclear fusion did not occur in the sun, it would be unable to support the star's mass against the outward pressure against it, which would result in the sun collapsing.

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Is lava hotter than the Sun?

While lava is still 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. 

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