Daniel Brown - solar guides

Where do you work?

I was born in Leamington Spa, but now I work at Aberystwyth University . I used to work at St Andrews University, Scotland.

I seem to have been spending large chunks of my time working in California - they have more Sun to study there! Here's the view of the Lick Observatory, just south of San Francisco.

What do you study?

I investigate how the Sun's magnetic field creates and shapes the solar atmosphere. It is a bit like seeing what patterns iron filings make when scattered over a piece of paper with a magnet underneath. Except in my case, the lines of iron filings were actually lines drawn with a computer using mathematical models. I then use the latest solar observations (from SOHO) to see if my model is right.

What do you do in your spare time?

One of my main hobbies is football. I'm a big supporter of Coventry City (well somebody has to be!), though I play a lot as well. I once held the FA Cup. That was in 1987 after Coventry had won it. I also played badminton for the University of St Andrews badminton team.

Once, at a conference in Greece, I was encouraged to try my hand at Greek Dancing (yes that's me!). Later, as a joke, I was awarded a certificate proclaiming me the 'Best non-Greek dancer'.

Have you ever met anybody famous?
I'm a big fan of the Harry Potter books. I once met J. K. Rowling. It was at my graduation, when she received an honorary degree.

I also like to do a bit of hiking in Scotland. Here's a photo of me at summit of Meall a' Choire Leith.

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