A Search for Vector Magnetic Field Variations Associated with the M-Class Flares of 10 June 1991 IN AR6659

Abstract

A careful analysis of a 6-hour time sequence of vector magnetograms of AR6659, observed on 10 June 1991 with the MSFC vector magnetograph, has revealed only minor changes in the vector magnetic field azimuths in the vicinity of two M-class flares, and the association of these changes with the flares is not unambiguous. In this paper we present our analysis of the data which includes comparison of vector magnetograms prior to and during the flares, calculation of distributions of the r.m.s. variation of the azimuth at each pixel in the field of view of the active region, and examination of the variation with time of the azimuths along the flaring neutral lines and at every pixel covered by the main flare emissions as observed with the Hα telescope coaligned with the vector magnetograph.