In this course we examine the properties of the Sun as a star with a view to understanding the energy it releases and how it impacts on the Sun-Earth environment, the Earth-space environment and the Earth's upper atmosphere. Then, focussing on the Earth, we investigate the fundamentals of atmospheric physics and meteorology: hydrostatic balance and the vertical structure of the atmosphere; altimetry; thermodynamics of dry and moist air; stability; cloud formation and precipitation; geostrophic, gradient and ageostrophic balances; winds; synoptic-scale weather systems, air masses and fronts. The course includes a laboratory program relating to and supplementing the lecture material.