Sun and the vast majority of stellar objects are dominated by magnetic fields that regulate their upper-interior and atmospheric activity. The sheer energy of these fields was thought to be solely responsible for major stellar eruptions, from solar flares to gigantic gamma-ray bursts in flare stars, pulsars, and magnetars. In recent decades, however, a physical parameter linked to both nominal and extreme stellar evolution (solar/stellar eruptions) was acknowledged: magnetic helicity. At an accelerating pace, detailed studies now report on the importance of net vs. balanced helical stellar dynamos, the catalytic role of magnetic helicity in magnetohydrodynamical instabilities and the necessity of Sun and Sun-like stars to shed the excess helicity they produce to infinity.

This Symposium will recap studies that have shaped and continue to shape the intricate topic of magnetic helicity, affording the well-acquainted or simply interested audience a succinct, top-level view of our understanding of the topic. Future prospects enabled by contemporary understanding will also be discussed. The Symposium will promote a balance between observational effects of helical manifestations and theory, emphasizing studies that embolden this connection. To remain attractive to both solar/space physicists and astrophysicists, it will also investigate the solar-stellar connection of helical manifestations in the universe.

Both oral and (electronic) poster contributions will be accommodated.

Programme

• Properties of magnetic helicity
• Astrophysical helical dynamos and spot formation in the Sun and Sun-like stars
• Helical magnetic flux emergence
• Global and local helicity manifestations in the solar atmosphere
• The role of helical magnetic fields in solar and stellar eruptions

Invited speakers

• Prof. Mitchell Berger (University of Exeter, United Kingdom)
• Dr. Piyali Chatterjee (Indian Institute of Astrophysics, India & University of Oslo, Norway)
• Dr. Mark Cheung (Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysical Lab, USA)
• Prof. Kanya Kusano (University of Nagoya, Japan)
• Dr. Gherardo Valori (University College London, United Kingdom)
• Prof. Hongqi Zhang (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China)

Scientific organisers
Manolis K. Georgoulis (RCAAM, Academy of Athens, Greece), Alexander Nindos (University of Ioannina, Greece), Dibyendu Nandi (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, India)

Contact
manolis.georgoulis @ academyofathens.gr