Sunspots and solar flares, created by the sun’s magnetism, can affect the Earth’s surface

Sunspots are areas on the sun's surface with stronger magnetic fields. (Rick Bramm, Edmonton RASC), CC BY

Since ancient times, the sun has been known as a giver of light and heat, a source of life. Plants are coaxed from the Earth by its rays, bringing spring, followed by bountiful harvests.

The Earth itself was found to have mystical properties when lore from China spread the use of compass magnets to find the north direction. In 1600, after centuries of western compass use, William Gilbert, Queen Elizabeth I’s personal physician, produced a book about magnets that also described the whole Earth as one.