Abstract

Convection is fundamental and enigmatic enough to rank high on any pundit's list of unsolved problems in stellar physics. It is responsible in large part for why stars shine since most stellar interiors are at least partially convective. Furthermore, convection plays an essential role in how star... Show moreConvection is fundamental and enigmatic enough to rank high on any pundit's list of unsolved problems in stellar physics. It is responsible in large part for why stars shine since most stellar interiors are at least partially convective. Furthermore, convection plays an essential role in how stars build magnetic fields. Magnetism in turn accounts for most short-term solar and stellar variability. Despite its ubiquity, stellar convection is challenging to model theoretically or numerically. In this paper we provide an overview of some recent insights into solar and stellar convection obtained from high-resolution numerical simulations. Thanks to continuing advances in high performance computing technology, such simulations continue to achieve unprecedented parameter regimes revealing turbulent dynamics inaccessible to previous models. Here we focus in particular on the subtle and profound influence of the complex boundary layers which exist near the top and bottom of the solar convection zone. Show less