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Book Salon
The Sun Kings

  • This month we're reading The Sun Kings by Stuart Clark. Our faculty host is Margot Gerritsen.

    Listen to an interview with our Book Salon host.

    "If you ever thought the world of science was a bit dry and devoid of intrigue, drama, jealousies and childish behavior, think again. This wonderfully written book explores the quest to understand the workings of the sun and the squabbles, fights and struggles of the bright minds that unraveled the sun's mysteries."

    Margot Gerritsen, PhD '97, associate professor, Energy Resources Engineer

About this quarter's book selection

Stuart Clark’s The Sun Kings: the Unexpected Tragedy of Richard Carrington and the Tale of How Modern Astronomy Began walks the thin line between scientific source and fascinating read with style and grace. The story of the birth of modern astronomy, this novel is scientifically accurate yet free of encumbering details—a great choice for anyone interested in the history of science.

In 1859, amateur astronomer Richard Carrington recorded what is now known as one of the most powerful solar storms of the last 500 years. Clark walks us through Carrington’s discovery and the great scientific controversy that erupts in its aftermath. Providing an interesting cast of characters that are now science legends, he is able to captivate readers through his exploration of the private politics of the science world while keeping the sun, and how we have now come to understand it, central to the plot.

Stuart Clark is an astronomy journalist, senior editor for space science for the European Space Agency's web portal team, and a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Published in 2007, The Sun Kings was shortlisted for the Royal Society’s Prize Science Books in 2008. 

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