Blackbody Radiation Sandbox

Explore how temperature determines a star's spectrum and color

Station Card (PDF)

Sun-like (G2V)

UV Violet Blue Green Yellow Orange Red IR

Temperature

5,778

Peak Wavelength

502

Luminosity

1.00

L_☉

Color

White

Temperature 5,778 K

2.7 K (CMB) 10⁶ K (Neutron Star)

Stars

Compact Objects

Cold Objects

Cosmic Microwave Background

Redshift (z) 0

Peak marker EM bands Show luminosity as size Planck term breakdown

Speed:

Hotter objects peak at shorter wavelengths (bluer). Cooler objects peak at longer wavelengths (redder).

The Sun peaks in green-yellow but appears white because it emits across all visible colors.