Touching the Sun - Chris Lintott
Gresham College Lectures
Unraveling the Sun's Mysteries
This chapter explores the historical and scientific journey of understanding the sun, from 18th-century calculations of its mass using the transit of Venus to the revolutionary theories of energy generation by figures like Kelvin and Helmholtz. It examines the evolution of thought regarding the sun's characteristics, including controversial ideas like those of William Herschel, and the eventual realization of nuclear fusion as the sun's true power source. The discussion also encompasses the relationship between geology and astronomy, showcasing how ancient rock formations contributed to the understanding of deep time and the sun’s elemental composition.
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