Saturn's temperature varies significantly depending on the region and depth within the planet:
- Average "surface" temperature (defined at the atmospheric pressure level equivalent to Earth's sea level) is about -178°C (-288°F) , reflecting the cold environment due to its great distance from the Sun
- Lower atmosphere temperatures range roughly from -280°F (-173°C) in the upper ammonia ice clouds to about 134°F (57°C) deeper down where pressure is higher
- Upper atmosphere and thermosphere temperatures are much warmer. The thermosphere can reach between 340 K to 370 K (about 134°F to 212°F) at the equator and up to 550-600 K (518°F to 626°F) near the poles, primarily due to auroral heating and electric currents rather than solar heating
- Core temperature is extremely hot, estimated to be around 11,700°C (21,000°F) , due to gravitational compression and internal heat sources
In summary, Saturn is very cold at its visible "surface" but has a hot interior and surprisingly warm upper atmosphere caused by internal heat and auroral processes
. The mean temperature often cited is around -140°C to -178°C (-220°F to -288°F) depending on measurement methods and atmospheric layers considered
