Exploring Magnetic Activity from the Sun to the Stars

Sun-like stars are known to display a wide variety of magnetic activity which is likely to be the signature of a hydromagnetic dynamo mechanism working in stellar interiors. This dynamo mechanism has been studied extensively in the context of the Sun. Here we take ideas and experiences gained from solar dynamo modeling and build upon it to study the inferred scaling laws, involving stellar parameters, from observations of stellar magnetic activity. We also discuss how such a synthesis of theoretical dynamo modeling of Sun-like stars and stellar cycle observations may help us reconstruct the long-term variability of the Sun – an important ingredient for understanding the effects of solar forcing on space and global climate.