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Death Star

An examination of how damaging a coronal mass ejection could be and how two new satellites that will travel closer to the sun than ever before can better prepare us.

One evening in early September 1859, a spectacular blood-red aurora borealis appeared across America. Earlier that same day, in a leafy garden in the UK, a gentleman astronomer had noted a 'white light flare' on the sun's surface.

The two events were linked; it's now known that the flare caused the aurora. The flare was a particularly violent eruption from the sun's surface known as a CME, a coronal mass ejection. Back then, it was considered an astronomical curiosity. But when it happens again, it will be a different story. For the modern, technological world such a violent solar phenomenon could be devastating. This episode examines just how damaging a CME could be and how astronomers, using two new satellites that will travel closer to the sun than ever before, can better prepare us for its impact.

30 minutes

Last on

Thu 16 Aug 2018 19:30

Clips

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:02

    Jean Sibelius

    Pelleas and Melisande: At The Castle Gate

    Performer: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Beecham.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Chris Lintott
Presenter Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Presenter Pete Lawrence
Series Producer Simon Winchcombe
Executive Producer Jonathan Renouf

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