Why is the sun hot?
Sophia Vance
Published Jan 17, 2026
The core of the sun is so hot and there is so much pressure, nuclear fusion takes place: hydrogen is changed to helium. Nuclear fusion creates heat and photons (light). The sun's surface is about 6,000 Kelvin, which is 10,340 degrees Fahrenheit (5,726 degrees Celsius).
Why is the sun hot but space cold?
Space is the ultimate thermosThe sun's radiation may travel through it, but there are no molecules or atoms to absorb that heat. Even when a rock is heated above 100°C by the sun's radiation, the space around it will not absorb any temperature because of the same reason.