HUMS ‘The Sun’: Bridging the Sciences and Humanities in a Cross-Disciplinary Exploration

The Humanities, Medicine, and Science (HUMS) Symposia at the University of Malta offer a unique platform where experts from diverse fields come together to explore a single theme from multiple disciplinary perspectives. This academic year, the HUMS first event, entitled ‘The Sun’, provided an interdisciplinary deep dive into the scientific, cultural, and existential significance of our closest star.

The Sun has captivated human imagination for millennia, not only as a life-sustaining force but also as a symbol of cosmic power and enlightenment. From ancient civilisations charting its movements to modern scientists decoding its mysteries, the Sun is integral to our understanding of the universe and our place within it. The 12^th annual edition of the HUMS Symposium held on 6 November, 2024 brought together experts in physics, astronomy, biology, literature, and anthropology to present their unique perspectives on the Sun, shedding light on its impact not only on life and ecosystems but also on human culture, history, and philosophy.

Astronomy: Illuminating Humanity’s Place in the Cosmos

Prof. Joseph Caruana‘s talk ventured into the vastness of time and space through the lens of the Sun, highlighting the continuous, long-term nature of astronomical processes. The Sun, humanity’s most observed celestial object, has been central in recorded thought since early humans began marking symbols on stone. Caruana explained how we perceive the Sun across the electromagnetic spectrum, using specialised instruments to observe it in wavelengths beyond visible light. He explored the solar cycle and coronal mass ejections, which propel material across space, impacting Earth and neighbouring planets. Placing the Sun within our galaxy, Caruana outlined its lifecycle, a balance of forces where hydrogen fusion counters gravitational collapse, fuelling the Sun until it eventually becomes a white dwarf surrounded by a nebula. This narrative underscored humanity’s intrinsic connection to the cosmos, offering a perspective that our existence is woven into the Sun’s seemingly timeless journey, evoking a sense of unity with the universe’s grand scale.

Physics: Empowering Humanity through a Deeper Understanding of the Sun

Connor Sant Fournier’s talk highlighted how solar imaging blends physics and technology to unlock the mysteries of the Sun. By observing the Sun across various wavelengths, from visible light to ultraviolet (UV), we can study phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. Each wavelength reveals different solar features – UV light exposes solar flares, while white light imaging captures the Sun’s surface features. The use of specialised equipment such as solar telescopes and filters allows for detailed observations, enhancing our understanding of the Sun’s activity. Modern techniques like video capture and software processing also enable the stacking of images to reveal intricate details. Physics at large not only contributes to scientific advancements but also encourages citizen science, showing how anyone with the right tools can contribute to solar physics. By studying the Sun, humanity gains the ability to predict space weather, deepening our connection to the cosmos.

Biology: Fuelling Life, Sustaining Ecosystems

Erika Puglisevich brought the Sun down to Earth, illustrating how it serves as the primary force sustaining life and ecosystems through photosynthesis. Plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen, creating the energy that supports food webs and produces the oxygen essential for life. Although this energy sustains complex ecosystems, only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels, emphasising biological inefficiency. The Sun also regulates critical biogeochemical cycles, such as the water cycle, by controlling temperature and influencing the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere. These temperature-driven cycles shape Earth’s climate zones, defining habitats, biodiversity, and species’ adaptation needs. Sunlight impacts biological rhythms, from circadian cycles that affect sleep and metabolism to seasonal rhythms that guide breeding, migration, and dormancy. As Puglisevich noted, ‘different components are driven by the Sun to provide a stable ecosystem,’ showing how the Sun creates a dynamic, interconnected system of energy flow and adaptation essential to life on Earth.

Anthropology: The Sun at the Centre of Society

Dr Omar N’Shea’s talk illuminated how the Sun has long shaped social and cultural beliefs, positioning it as a compass for human behaviour. Drawing from Babylonian solar science, he explored ancient manuscripts from the Library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, where celestial omens were meticulously recorded in the Enuma Anu Enlil series. These texts catalogued omens tied to the Sun, Moon, weather, and planets, interpreting them as divine messages that shaped rituals, governance, and societal actions. A solar eclipse, for instance, was considered a powerful omen requiring specific rituals, reflecting the belief that the Sun’s alignment held significance for human affairs. N’Shea’s presentation underscored the respect ancient cultures held for the sun as humanity’s guide, revealing its central role in the rituals, governance, and decision-making of societies that looked to the skies for direction.

Literature: The Sun as a Symbol of Life, Knowledge, and Divine Connection

Dr Maria Theuma’s talk explored the intimate relationship between humanity and the Sun, drawing from Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun. The Sun was depicted as both a nurturing, life-giving force and a raw source of nourishment, evoking reverence and awe. Classical works like Dante’s Paradiso and Plato’s The Republic were also referenced, where the Sun symbolises ultimate truth, enlightenment, and a higher, divine reality. The Sun’s role in female mysticism was examined, acting as a bridge between the mortal and the divine. Its idiosyncrasies and benevolent nature were framed as symbols of knowledge, virtue, and human aspiration. Theuma’s presentation emphasised that the Sun is not merely a physical force but a powerful symbol that shapes our understanding of life, knowledge, and existence. The talk prompted reflection on how literature and philosophy use the Sun to frame humanity’s most profound ideas about our place in the universe.

A Holistic Perspective on the Sun

The five talks presented at this year’s HUMS Symposium shared a common thread that highlighted the Sun as a central, multifaceted force shaping both the physical world and human culture. In biology, the Sun was depicted as the primary source of energy, sustaining life through photosynthesis and regulating vital biogeochemical cycles. This theme of life-sustaining energy was echoed in anthropology, where the Sun’s rhythms informed agricultural cycles, societal rituals, and governance. Ancient cultures revered the Sun as a force that sustained civilisation, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of life on Earth.

The Sun also emerged as a symbol of knowledge and enlightenment across disciplines. In literature, it represented ultimate truth and divine knowledge, bridging humanity’s understanding of the earthly and spiritual realms. In astronomy and physics, the Sun was a source of cosmic insight, guiding us to predict space weather, safeguard technological systems, and explore the cosmos.

Another common theme that emerged from the symposium was the Sun as a symbol of human connection. Whether through its influence on societal beliefs in anthropology, its role in shaping biological rhythms, or its deeper existential meaning in literature, the Sun’s power links us to both the natural world and our own search for meaning in the universe.

Attending HUMS: The Sun – A Reflective Experience

Attending the symposium was an enlightening experience. It not only expanded my understanding of the Sun but also provided a platform for consolidating diverse perspectives that challenged me to think more deeply about our star’s impact on both the natural world and human society. The speakers not only presented facts but also invited us to engage in meaningful discussions that sparked new ideas and interpretations.

What struck me most was the event’s role in bringing together people from different backgrounds, allowing us to exchange viewpoints we might not have otherwise considered. Beyond the content of the talks themselves, the ability to converse with individuals from varied fields was one of the most valuable outcomes of the event. It showcased the power of interdisciplinary dialogue in broadening perspectives and fostering innovation.

The speakers’ efforts in preparing their talks was clear, and their passion for their subjects was inspiring. The event reminded me of how powerful such forums can be in challenging existing ideas, generating new ones, and fostering a shared commitment to knowledge. HUMS: ‘The Sun’ truly demonstrated how, even by shedding light on a familiar topic, the exchange of knowledge through such events can illuminate our shared human curiosity for understanding and connection.

Stay tuned! If you missed this event, HUMS will be hosting its ‘Stories are Us: When History and Literature Meet’ Symposium on 19 February at the Aula Magna, Valletta Campus. The event will be chaired and moderated by Prof. Clare Vassallo and will include short talks by Prof. Emanuel Buttigieg, Prof. Ivan Callus, Prof. Dominic Fenech, Prof. Maria Frendo, Dr Immanuel Mifsud, and Dr Daniel Vella.