Last month I was approached by Radio 3 and asked to adapt a small portion of The Sun Kings for Radio 3’s Strange Encounter programme.  In this fascinating series, guest presenters revisit key turning points in science.  So, what more natural moment to visit than the Great Solar Storm of 1859?

I spent a fascinating morning with Producer Roland Pease at Bush House making the recording, which you can listen to here on iPlayer.  If the first link has expired head over here to where the speechification blog has kindly highlighted my episode, and a downloadable version.  My thanks to James Bridle.