Jupiter is a gaseous planet with a hot core, and there is a large temperature gradient between the planet's surface and its core. On the surface, though, the temperature remains constant, and it isn't one that humans would find comfortable if they were able to stand there.
Average Surface Temperature
Jupiter has a solid core about the size of Earth, but most of the planet is gaseous, and because of this, it doesn't have a well-defined surface. Scientists therefore define the surface as the atmospheric layer in which the pressure is the same as on the surface of the Earth. At this depth, the temperature is uniform at minus 145 degrees Celsius (minus 234 degrees Fahrenheit), reports Space.com.
Surface-to-Core Average
Scientists estimate the core temperature of Jupiter to be about 24,000 degrees Celsius (43,000 degrees Fahrenheit), which is hotter than the surface of the sun. This puts the average temperature inside the planet in the neighborhood of 12,000 degrees Celsius (21,500 degrees Fahrenheit).
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About the Author
Chris Deziel holds a Bachelor's degree in physics and a Master's degree in Humanities, He has taught science, math and English at the university level, both in his native Canada and in Japan. He began writing online in 2010, offering information in scientific, cultural and practical topics. His writing covers science, math and home improvement and design, as well as religion and the oriental healing arts.
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