Project description
Rethinking how the sun stirs its layers
For decades, scientists have tried to simulate how energy moves through the Sun’s turbulent outer layers. Yet the models still do not match reality. Observations show a dominance of small-scale motions called supergranulation, while simulations predict large-scale flows that do not exist. This mismatch, known as the convective conundrum, has become one of solar physics’ greatest puzzles, limiting our ability to model the Sun’s rotation and magnetic cycles. The ERC-funded NEOCON project aims to resolve this mystery by rethinking how convection actually works. Drawing on solar observations, it introduces a new entropy rain model where surface cooling (not deep heating) drives convection. By incorporating magnetic effects and non-local dynamics, NEOCON could revolutionise our understanding of stellar interiors.
Objective
Tension between solar observations and theoretical and numerical
models is shifting the paradigm of stellar convection: simulations
produce dominant large-scale flows that are absent in the Sun and the
supergranulation scale which according to helioseismology is dominant
in the Sun is not captured by simulations. This discrepancy, named the
convective conundrum, is the most likely reason why solar differential
rotation and global dynamo cannot be reproduced by current
simulations. Canonical theory of convection, adopted in many models,
assumes an unstable temperature gradient and local driving of
convection leading to large-scale flows. More recent models relaxing
this assumption suggest that surface cooling is the main driver of
convection leading to non-local flows in the form of cool entropy
rain. In this scenario the bulk of the convection zone is weakly
stably stratified in stark contrast to traditional mixing length
picture. Recent solar observations also suggest fast small-scale
plumes and weakly stable stratification.
Simulations of stellar convection are limited by computational
resources such that fully realistic models of stars are unreachable in
the foreseeable future. This is most likely why surface driving of
convection is too weak in current simulations. In the NeoCon project
this is addressed via a solar observation-inspired subgrid-scale model
incorporating entropy rain to reach the highly non-local regime of
convection conjectured to exist in stars. This has paradigm-shifting
consequences for theories of stellar convection and dynamos with
potential ramifications for stellar structure and evolution. In
addition to capturing convection accurately, another crucial
requirement is ensuring the correct force balance in stellar interiors
with strong multiscale magnetic fields. Strong magnetism is another
possible solution to the convective conundrum which is addressed in
the NeoCon project by comprehensive study of magnetic back-reaction on
convection.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
8010 GRAZ
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.