August 1972 proton-flare region and different phases of its background magnetic field development

Using magnetic synoptic charts and daily maps preceding and following the development of the August 1972 proton-flare region in an extended time interval, it was shown that the evolution of such a complex solar process may be divided into more simple evolutionary phases. Each of the individual stages during the process of forming this complex magnetic situation may be compared with the phenomena observed during the growth of a normal complex of activity or even of a simple active region. These evolutionary stages are not only seen in the development of the magnetic field topology. They may be found in all kinds of solar activity and their occurrence in the chromosphere, corona and interplanetary space seems to depend on the successive penetration of the magnetic field lines into the higher layers of the Sun and its extensive atmosphere. (author)