Our Sun

About the Book

Nobody has ever been there, and no one ever will. It is far too far away! So how do we know how it works? The aim of this handbook is to acquaint those interested in the subject with our present knowledge of the Sun, and the methods used by scientists and astronomers to get an understanding of the workings of this, our nearest star. The handbook does not assume any basic knowledge of astronomy or solar astrophysics and is ideally suited to anyone just starting and wishing to take up the study or is merely curious, yet it is comprehensive enough to appeal to those with some knowledge of the subject. Mathematics are avoided, though some simple formulae are given for those interested and by way of explanation. This handbook will provide a sound foundation in the subject which will then allow the novice solar astronomer to explore this fascinating field of science further.

About the Author

I am a British professioal chartered engineer and qualified physicist, and started my career as a lecturer in physics, mathematics and electronics. I then became a designer of aircraft avionics specialising in electronic landing systems, later becoming a member of the Tornado aircraft design management team. I joined British Aerospace where I worked for over 22 years on various aircraft and missile systems. My work involved tours of duty at the Lockheed Missile and Space Center, (LMSC) Sunnyvale, California and the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, England. During my career with British Aerospace I was the head of a weapons forensic laboratory for 11 years. I rose to the position of a British Aerospace Consultant Engineer, their highest engineering grade, as a specialist in the field of semiconductor technology. As a Consultant I undertook 3 years research at the University of Maryland in consortium partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence, the US Department of Defence, the NASA MARS Pathfinder project team, amongst others. I also came into professional contact with the NASA Galileo team, involved in the Jupiter missions. I retired from British Aeospace in 1988 and retrained as an astronomer. I was invited to join a local amateur astronomical research team where I started undertaking solar observational work, which I submitted to the British Astronomical Association, (BAA). The BAA subsequentially offered me the post of Assitant Director (Projects) of the Solar Section, a position held for 3 years, (until the workload exceeded acceptable limits). In 2006 I was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. I live in Cornwall in the far southwest of England with my wife Barbara where I still undertake daily solar observational work (weather permitting) as part of a 70 strong BAA international team (including Americans), and am a member of the international Association of Lunar and Planetary Obervers (ALPO). I report to these organisations monthly. I am also a member of the international Solar Influences Data Analysis Center, (SIDC) in Brussels, the world centre of the Regional Warning Center (operating through an NOAA hub in Boulder, Colorado) which issues solar storm warnings to airlines companies and satellite operators, etc. I report daily to the SIDC. And I write books on solar astrophysics.