06/01/2015

Adam Walton marks the start of the International Year Of Light, an initiative of a large consortium of scientific bodies, and UNESCO.

The programme explores the unique properties of light, the speed of light and its importance to science. We also hear about the black holes and the absence of light.

Professor Prem Kumar from Swansea University explains the electro-magnetic and particular nature of light, plus the speed of light and why, being a constant, it forces space and time to be "malleable".

Cardiff based astronomer Dr Edward Gomez, the Education Director of Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, explains why astronomy is, in many ways, "the story of light" and how much the different colours of light received from distant stars tell us about their nature. He also looks forward to the Year Of Light and its implications for both astonomy and the wider world of science.

We also hear from Dr Ray Davies at the Photonics Academy Wales in Bangor University, who explains the many applications that lasers and LED lights can have in electronic communications, medical, and many other aspects of our lives.