The physics of the Sun is an important branch in modern astrophysical research:

• The amount of energy emitted from the Sun is a crucial parameter concerning the state of the Earth's climate system and thus, of the conditions for life on Earth. Small changes of this parameter occur on timescales between minutes and millions of years.
• The Sun is the only star which is close enough to spatially resolve details on its surface and atmosphere, which reveal a variety of highly dynamic phenomena. Thus, results obtained from solar observations are vitally important for the comprehension of other stars.
• Highly energetic phenomena, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, can crucially affect our near-Earth space environment and technological systems (satellites), the so-called "space weather".

At IGAM, research is mainly concentrated on observational solar physics, i.e. on obtaining and analysing observations from various Earth- and space-based observatories. The institute operates also the Kanzelhöhe Observatory which provides regularly high-cadence full disk observations of the Sun in the Hα spectral line and Ca II K lines as well as in white light.