Stellar Temperature Measurement

Hot Sun cartoonHow Hot is that Star?NASA logo
General Facts and Information About the Sun

The Sun is extremely HOT. Core temperature can reach 22.5 million degrees!  But what does it all mean ? How do scientists know these temperatures ?  Continue into this journey and let's find out !

Sun: surface Temperature 5,500 C or 9,932 F; Core Temperature 22.5 million F.

Warning: The sun be dangerous.  Never look directly at the sun, even with sunglasses. Follow this link for more.

Solar surfer iconIt's time for some "Solar Surfing!"Solar Surfer cartoon

As you surf each Web site listed below, learn as much as you can about the Sun.  At the quiz section below, you will be given an opportunity to check your learning.

    As a focus - keep the following questions in mind:

questionWhat is the nearest star to the earth ?
What are the major parts of the Sun ?
What are the physical properties of the Sun?
What are the temperatures of the various
              parts of the Sun ?


HotSite1Hot

click here to see the site

Some Interesting Facts about the Sun From NASA's Observatorium


HotSite 2Hot

click here to see the site

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
University of Arizona Chapter of Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.


HotSite 3Hot

click here to see the site

The Virtual Sun. Anton Pannekoek Institute. Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  In the following "Trip through the Sun" you'll see flames on the sun larger than ten earths, winds going 1000 mph, and you'll see how the earth eventually will be scorched by the dying Sun. 


HotSite 4Hot

click here to see the site

Views of the Solar System--The Sun  has been created as an educational 
tour of the solar system. This site contains images and information about the Sun.

Now.......Let's look at the very latest data from the Sun

Up to the Day Solar Images from Space Environment Center. The Space Environment Center (SEC) provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events, conducts research in solar-terrestrial physics, and develops techniques for forecasting solar and geophysical disturbances. SEC's parent organization is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Take The On-LINE SUN Quiz Here

general facts about the Sun exploring temperature development thermometers thermal radiation & equilibrium temperature scales Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams

Return to the Table of Contents

Return to Beginning

The Science Museum of Virginia

Mail comments, questions or suggestions to: outreach@ssl.berkeley.edu  
OR  Web Curators.

Copyright © 1997 Regents of the University of California

This page last updated 06/25/02