Q&BA: Pound for pound, are humans hotter than the Sun?

Bad Astronomy
By Phil Plait
Feb 2, 2012 10:19 PMNov 19, 2019 9:24 PM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

[Note: Every week I hold a live video chat on Google+ where I answer questions from readers. I call it Q&BA, and when I get a question that stands alone, I'll make it its own video. ]

Every now and again, I hear this urban legend that pound for pound, the human body is actually hotter (or has more energy) than the Sun. I got this question in a recent Q&BA video chat session, so I tackled it. The answer is pretty interesting, and depends on how you ask the question!

[embed width="610"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps87Lqrs9d4[/embed]

I actually wrote about this legend on the blog a while back

, and I show all the math. I really like this question, since it has a straightforward answer that makes it seem wrong, but then if you look at it more carefully the answer is a little trickier. And even in the video and that other post, it's not really a complete answer; if you read the comments on the post you'll see people arguing over it. That's really the best kind of question: the ones that keep on going! There's always more stuff to figure out.

Visit the Q&BA Archive to see more videos like this one!

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2025 LabX Media Group