This book is for everyone curious about the Sun and how it has been perceived throughout human history, including the modern scientific view. Beginning with ancient myths and legends, superstitions, art and poetry, the book proceeds to explain the amazing composition of our star, how it produces the heat and light on which all life depends, as well as touching the harvesting of solar energy that is becoming so essential in the modern world. The book is illustrated by the author’s own artwork and includes first-hand scientific information provided in interviews with professional astrophysicists.

Sun in mythology
Legends about Sun
Heliophysics
NASA Sun probes
Solar Energy
Sun in Art and Culture

• Introduction
• The Birth of the Sun
• Structure and Composition
• How the Sun Works: Nuclear Fusion
• The Sun and the Solar System
• Solar Activity: Flares and Sunspots
• The Sun Through Human History
• Observing the Sun: Past and Present
• The Life Cycle of the Sun
• The Future: Death of the Sun
• The Sun’s Influence on Earth
• Conclusion
• References / Further Reading

• Campiglia Marittima, Italy

  Laura Pesce

Book Title
A Biography of Our Sun

Book Subtitle
From Ancient Myths and Artifacts to Modern Art and Astrophysics

Authors
Laura Pesce

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54729-4

eBook Packages
Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)

Copyright Information
The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024

Softcover ISBN
978-3-031-54728-7
Published: 16 March 2024

eBook ISBN
978-3-031-54729-4
Published: 15 March 2024

Edition Number
1

Number of Pages
VIII, 123

Number of Illustrations
1 b/w illustrations, 28 illustrations in colour

Topics
Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, Arts, History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics, Astrophysics and Astroparticles, Anthropology