Nasa scientist tells of nerves for shuttle astronauts

Magnetic activity by the sun has a huge effect on communications, radio, power supplies and even the future of space travel, a Nasa scientist told a Dublin audience today as his colleagues waited nervously for space shuttle Discovery’s return.

Dr Peter Gallagher was at Dublin City University (DCU) to talk about his work with the Soho spacecraft, a space telescope one million miles from earth, with a permanent view of the sun.