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The Forum: The Sun: Myths and magnetism

The Sun

29/09/2022 GMT

The Sun: Myths and magnetism

BBC World Service - The Forum, The Sun: Myths and magnetism

Understanding the star that makes all life on Earth possible

The sun has fascinated us for thousands of years, and today with our reliance on technology such as satellites and radio communications, its behaviour is as relevant as ever.

The sun might not shape the pattern of our daily lives to the extent it did in the past. But understanding its behaviour is a focus of scientific research to grasp how activity on the surface of the sun - such as geomagnetic storms - can affect life on earth. "Space weather" can take out whole power networks, damage satellites and disrupt communication lines – the technology on which so many people rely. 

Bridget Kendall and guests examine the sun's impact throughout history, and discuss what we know about its internal structure and magnetic fields.

Claire Raftery is a solar physicist and the Head of Education and Outreach at the National Solar Observatory in Boulder, Colorado; Philip Judge is a senior scientist at the High Altitude Observatory also in Boulder, Colorado.  He’s written many papers on aspects of solar physics, as well as a book entitled The Sun: A Very Short Introduction; and philosopher Emma Carenini is the author of The Sun: Myths, History and Societies which considers how the sun has shaped philosophy and thought.

Producer: Fiona Clampin

(Photo: Post-Flare Loops Erupt From Suns Surface. Credit: Nasa/Getty Images)

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