Without our Sun in (the relatively) close proximity of 93 million miles it would be a cold and dark world indeed. It is the source of all our light and heat. The object is a massive ball of gas and plasma. Thanks to the nuclear fusion reactions taking place at its core, the Sun has been shining for four and a half billion years. Its structure, and the processes that keep it burning, have fascinated
astronomers for centuries. After the invention of the telescope it became apparent that the Sun is not a placid, steadily shining body but is subject to periodic changes in its appearance and eruptions of dramatic violence, some of which can affect us here on Earth. Recent space missions have revealed fascinating new insights into our nearest star. This book is a treasure of information about the star that keeps us all alive. It also very cleverly explains how all this knowledge was obtained.
Do listen to the splendid discussion of ‘In Our time’ on Radio 4 , available as a podcast at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b048nlfb
Cambridge University Press 17 February 2024
325 pages
ISBN 978-1107672642