ESA celebrates the Sun
28 April 2001 - 28 April 2001
The European Space Agency (ESA) celebrates discoveries made by its SOHO, Cluster and Ulysses observatories on 27 and 28 April, with a 'Sun-Earth day'.
'Our Sun plays a central role in daily life, by warming and lighting the world , and powering the growth of living plants,' says ESA. 'Since ancient times, mankind has been aware of its importance, although not always understanding how or why.' But the space age has changed this. 'The ability to forecast [solar storms] comes from our improved understanding of solar events, which has been facilitated by solar physics research including important contributions from six spacecraft built in Europe: SOHO stationed far out in space, the four Cluster satellites orbiting together around the Earth, and Ulysses, which flies over the poles of the sun,' says ESA.
It is now inviting the public to join an international effort to promote public awareness of the dynamics of the Sun and its influence on the Earth. Events at more than 40 locations throughout Europe are planned.
Further information is available from:
URL: http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESAR5OGBCLC_index_0.html(opens in new window)
'Our Sun plays a central role in daily life, by warming and lighting the world , and powering the growth of living plants,' says ESA. 'Since ancient times, mankind has been aware of its importance, although not always understanding how or why.' But the space age has changed this. 'The ability to forecast [solar storms] comes from our improved understanding of solar events, which has been facilitated by solar physics research including important contributions from six spacecraft built in Europe: SOHO stationed far out in space, the four Cluster satellites orbiting together around the Earth, and Ulysses, which flies over the poles of the sun,' says ESA.
It is now inviting the public to join an international effort to promote public awareness of the dynamics of the Sun and its influence on the Earth. Events at more than 40 locations throughout Europe are planned.
Further information is available from:
URL: http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESAR5OGBCLC_index_0.html(opens in new window)