The conference “Sun in Science and Society” (https://solarnet-s3.com/), organised in the framework of the H2020 SOLARNET Project by the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy) and the University of Catania (Italy), was held in Venice/Mestre (Italy) at the Museo del 900 M9 from 11th – 15th September 2023.

It is well known that the Sun is a variable magnetic star that modifies the physical conditions in space creating “space climate and space weather” that can influence terrestrial environment and worldwide technological infrastructures affecting the global economy. The meeting “Sun in Science and Society” allowed heliophysics scientists to illustrate the state-of-the-art in solar theory, Sun-Earth connection and forecasting capabilities, while stakeholders and economists examined user needs and requirements.

Moreover, considering the Sun as a paradigm in astrophysics, the meeting provided a forum to discuss how recent advances in the study of the Sun can be applied to other astrophysical contexts, to identify the problems in a selected number of fields that could be tackled using methods, tools, points of views used by the different communities, and to foster collaborations between researchers working on solar studies and those working in other fields, in order to generate synergies between these communities.

The scientific programme included six sessions: 1) Solar activity and its drivers; 2) Sun, Space and Society; 3) High-Resolution ground-based telescopes and technology for solar physics; 4) Sun, Space and Society (solar physics impact on economy and society, data for 'civil 'society, education and outreach); 5) The Sun as a Rosetta Stone for astrophysics; 6) The Sun as a Rosetta Stone for physics.

The meeting was very successful, with 90 participants from European and non-European countries. The definition of the scientific programme took into strong consideration the geographical distribution, the gender balance and the relevance of the proposed contributions to the main objectives of the Conference.

During the Conference, a public event took place: “Un Sole,  Nessun Sole, Centomila Soli“. Besides some outreach talks on the Sun and on the instruments needed to observe our star, with particular emphasis on the European Solar Telescope, the public had the opportunity to enjoy the documentary “Reaching fort he Sun“. At the end of the documentary, a public debate on the importance of the Sun in our lives took place.

image credit: Francesco Berrilli and Francesca Zuccarello