First Circular: The physics of our Sun is in many ways foundation science.
Its applications range from the Sun as a calibrated neutrino source, as a laboratory for reactions and decays of light nuclei under plasma conditions and for magnetohydrodynamical processes, to its function as a benchmark for stellar models: Stellar structure, evolution, and seismology can be precisely tested against data from the well-observed Sun. Advanced telescopes and space missions aided by theoretical modelling study the processes that are involved in the continuous reconfiguration of the Sun’s magnetic field on the surface and the atmosphere. A continuous solar wind of particles fills interplanetary space, while coronal mass ejections lead to solar storms, posing risks to technology in near-Earth space or on ground. A large number of space missions have advanced our knowledge on the Sun and its influence on the planetary system.
Scientists in Germany and Spain have for many years been at the forefront both of the physics of the solar core (neutrinos and nuclear reactions) and phenomena from the solar interior via the surface through the atmosphere to the solar wind. However, these research fields have developed and prospered largely in parallel, with limited interaction.
The present workshop aims to bridge this gap and assemble a core group of scientists working on all physical aspects of the Sun. The main concepts of each branch of solar research shall be laid out in dedicated lectures. There shall be ample space for free discussion, with the aim of discovering new interdisciplinary research avenues to address the Interdisciplinary Physics of the Sun.
The conference language will be English. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation (WE) bears the cost of full-board accommodation for all participants.
Invited lecturers: Nazareth Bello Gonzalez, KIS Freiburg, Germany, Maria Bergemann, MPI for Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany, Juan Manuel Borrero, KIS Freiburg, Germany, Gaël Buldgen, University of Liège, Belgium, Carsten Denker, AIP Potsdam, Germany, Alessandra Guglielmetti, University of Milan, Italy, Bernd Heber, University of Kiel, Germany, Michèle Heurs, University of Hannover, Germany, Rachel Howe, University of Birmingham, UK, Petri Käpylä, KIS Freiburg, Germany, Elena Khomenko, IAC La Laguna, Spain, Marian Martinez Gonzalez, IAC La Laguna, Spain, Eliana Masha, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany, Fernando Moreno Insertis, IAC LaLaguna, Spain, Daniel Müller, European Space Agency, Netherlands, Natalie Krivova, MPI for Solar System Research Göttingen, Germany, Taisuke Nagayama, Sandia National Lab, USA, Hardi Peter, MPI for Solar System Research Göttingen, Germany, Aldo Serenelli, CSIC Institute of Space Sciences Barcelona, Spain, Hector Socas, IAC, Spain, Sami Solanki, MPI for Solar System Research Göttingen, Germany, Frank Stefani, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany, Francesco Villante, University of L’Aquila, Italy, Michael Wurm, Universität Mainz, Germany
Format of the workshop: In order to foster a lively discussion, the number of participants will be limited to about 50. Young scientists such as PhD students or young postdocs are especially encouraged to apply. The organizers aim for a healthy gender balance, and for including scientists from the partner countries Spain and Germany but also from any other country.
The workshop will start with dinner on Sunday, 29 June, and conclude after lunch on Friday, 4 July 2025. In addition to extensive invited lectures, there will be contributed oral and poster presentations. One half day (Thursday morning) will be reserved for a
collaboration session exploring possible avenues for bringing the various subfields of physics of the Sun closer together.
Each participant is asked to actively contribute to the workshop.
Registration: Scientists interested in participation are asked to register by 4 May 2025 and submit a short abstract. In case of overbooking, the organizers will make a selection promptly after the deadline.
Due to the generous support by the WE Heraeus foundation, there is no registration fee, and full room and board at the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef is covered for all participants. In addition, travel support according to the WE Heraeus rules is available
for the invited lecturers. Contributed speakers and poster presenters who require travel support on top of the free registration and free room and board are requested to submit a motivated request when registering.
All further information can be found at the conference web page https://www.we-heraeus-stiftung.de/veranstaltungen/interdisciplinary-physics-of-the-sun/
We look forward to welcoming you to Bad Honnef!
Daniel Bemmerer, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Germany, Markus Roth, Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg and University of Jena, Germany, Aldo Serenelli, CSIC Institute of Space Sciences, Barcelona, Spain