And over a seven-year period, from 2003 to 2009, they found Iran's Lut Desert to be the hottest place on Earth.

CNN: Think it's hot? Imagine living here

The Lut Desert had the highest recorded surface temperature in five of the seven years, topping out at 159 degrees in 2005.

CNN: Think it's hot? Imagine living here

"The Earth's hot deserts -- such as the Sahara, the Gobi, the Sonoran and the Lut -- are climatically harsh and so remote that access for routine measurements and maintenance of a weather station is impractical, " said David Mildrexler, lead author of a recent study that used NASA satellites to detect the Earth's hottest surface temperatures.

CNN: Think it's hot? Imagine living here