IAU Colloquium No. 71 had its immediate origins in a small gathering of people interested. in the optical and UV study of flare stars which took place during the 1979 Montreal General Assembly. We recognized that a fundamental change was taking place in the study of these objects. Space-borne instruments (especially lUE and Einstein) and a new genera tion of ground-based equipment were having a profound effect on the range of investigations it was possible to make. To extract maximum benefit from these new possibilities it would be necessary as never before to have good communication with colleagues in other disciplines, for instance, . with atomic and solar physicists. Similarly, studies of phenomena associated with the outer atmospheres of the late-type stars could now hope to give significant insights into certain aspects of solar activity. So, in view of the wide range of backgrounds of those participating, the meeting had an unusually high proportion of invited reviews while most of the contributed papers were presented as posters. It is gratifying that in the short time since the meeting a good deal of correspondence has been received from participants remarking on the success of this format. Once the decision had been taken in principle to hold the meeting, a very considerable amount of work fell on the two organizing committees, viz. the Scientific and Local Organizing Committees. The Scientific Organizing Committee was chaired by D.J. Mullan and consisted of A.D."

This book begins with a very readable survey "The Sun Today" by J.-C. Pecker. It is followed by thorough reviews from leading experts covering theory and observations. The focus shifts from the solar core, studied via neutrino emissions and helioseismology, through the interface regions where it is believed the large-scale magnetic fields are generated, to the corona, where most of the high temperature phenomena characteristic of this region may be studied directly. As energetic particles play such a vigorous role in this part of the sun, a separate session was devoted to their transport and storage in the corona.

concert at Dinkelspiel Auditorium 'An Evening of Songs and Arias' hosted by Dr Kip Cranna of San Francisco Opera, produced and directed by Elizabeth Tucker, and featuring soprano Ellie Holt Murray, mezzo-soprano Marsha Sims; tenor Richard Walker, and baritone David Taft Kekuewa, with piano accompaniment by Mark Haffner, staff coach for San Francisco Opera. Two scientific themes clearly emerged from this conference: (1) the key to progress in flare research lies in a multispectral approach with as much temporal resolution as the photon fluxes allow; and (2) the key to understanding the physics lies in a dynamic interaction between solar and stellar investigations and investigators. During the eight sessions solar and stellar topics were balanced and intermixed in 33 invited and oral presentations. We are particularly pleased that these proceedings will be the springboard to publication of solar-stellar articles in the journal Solar Physics. In addition, 115 very exciting posters were also displayed and a companion volume containing many of these is available as a publication of the Catania Astrophysical Observatory. We dedicate this book to the Solar Maximum Mission and to the Flare Star Consor tium. To all our solar-stellar friends and colleagues: 'Thank you ' BERNHARD M. HAISCH and MARCELLO RODONO 28 March. 1989 AN OVERVIEW OF SOLAR AND STELLAR FLARE RESEARCH BERNHARD M. HAlSCH Div. 91-30. Bldg. 255. Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory. 3251 Hanover St . Palo Alto. CA 94304. U.S.A."