The Sun is an
active and variable star. Well known signatures of the 11 year
activity cycle are the sunspots, the flares and the
coronal mass ejections. During solar flares an enormous amout
of energy is released within a short time of some seconds to
hours. The activity phenomena are determined by the solar
magnetic field. The work at the Solar Physics Department of
the AIP is focused on the observation and analysis of the
magnetic activity in the solar atmosphere. That is done by
optical (Optical
Solar Physics) and by radio astronomical (Solar
Radio Physics) methods. Due to its
proximity the Sun can be well observed with high spatial and
temporal resolution. Learning from the Sun to understand other
stars - this is one aim of the research topic "Solar-Stellar
Connection". Our technical civilization is sensitive to
the solar activity. This was evidenced e.g. during the
sequence of strong flares in October/November 2003. The impact
of solar activity on the terrestrial surroundings is
summarized in the term "Space Weather". The improved
understanding of the solar activity is important for
Astrophysics and for the human civilization.
