WordNet
n. the branch of astronomy that deals with the sun
Wikipedia
Solar physics is the branch of astrophysics that specializes in the study of the Sun. It deals with detailed measurements that are possible only for our closest star. It intersects with many disciplines of pure physics, astrophysics, and computer science, including fluid dynamics, plasma physics including magnetohydrodynamics, seismology, particle physics, atomic physics, nuclear physics, stellar evolution, space physics, spectroscopy, radiative transfer, applied optics, signal processing, computer vision, computational physics, stellar physics and solar astronomy.
Because the Sun is uniquely situated for close-range observing (other stars cannot be resolved with anything like the spatial or temporal resolution that the Sun can), there is a split between the related discipline of observational astrophysics (of distant stars) and observational solar physics.
The study of solar physics is also important as it is believed that changes in the solar atmosphere and solar activity can have a major impact on Earth's climate. The Sun also provides a "physical laboratory" for the study of plasma physics.
Solar Physics is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published approximately monthly by Springer Science+Business Media. The editors-in-chief are Lidia van Driel-Gesztelyi (various affiliations), John Leibacher ( National Solar Observatory and Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale), and Takashi Sakurai ( National Astronomical Observatory of Japan).
Usage examples of "solar physics".
Jack Eddy, High Altitude Observatory, one of our leading authorities on solar physics.
Also, many of the research materials on Solar Physics he'd ordered had not arrived and would have to be forwarded to Mercury.
She was in her final year of solar physics when I was graduating, and during our last year at college we saw a good deal of each other.