RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ELECTRIC CURRENTS, PHOTOSPHERIC MOTIONS, CHROMOSPHERIC ACTIVITY, AND MAGNETIC-FIELD TOPOLOGY

Through coordinated observations made during the Max'91 campaign in June 1989 in Potsdam (magnetograms), Debrecen (white light and Halpha), and Meudon (MSDP), we follow the evolution of the sunspot group in active region NOAA 5555 for 6 days. The topology of the coronal magnetic field is investigated by using a method based on the concept of separatrices - applied previously (Mandrini et al., 1991) to a magnetic region slightly distorted by field-aligned currents. The present active region differs by having significant magnetic shear. We find that the Halpha flare kernels and the main photospheric electric current cells are located close to the intersection of the separatrices with the chromosphere, in a linear force-free field configuration adapted to the observed shear. Sunspot motions, strong currents, isolated polarities, or intersecting separatrices are not in themselves sufficient to produce a flare. A combination of them all is required. This supports the idea that flares are due to magnetic reconnection, when flux tubes with field-aligned currents move towards the separatrix locations.