British scientists are urging the European Space Agency to build a spacecraft that will fly closer to the Sun than any other spaceprobe. Our science correspondent David Whitehouse reports.

The Sun is the only star that scientists can study from close range. On its fiery surface are events and processes that occur elsewhere in the cosmos.

Studying the high temperature violence on the Sun's surface will provide insights into what happens elsewhere in space.

Superhot gas thrown into space

The Sun also provides the energy that enables life to survive on Earth.

Occasionally, huge explosions - called solar flares - blast clouds of sub-atomic particles into space that can damage satellites and cause communication chaos if they reach the Earth.

The proposed Solar Orbiter would circle closer to the Sun than any previous spacecraft, just 20 million km (12 million miles), three times closer than the closest planet Mercury.

NASA's Solar Probe (nasa)

Work on the Solar Orbiter could begin in 2001, the same time that NASA will begin work on its Solar Probe.

It will be a joint American and Russian mission which is hoped will be the first craft to fly through the Suns atmosphere.

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