THE PHOTOSPHERIC MAGNETIC-FLUX BUDGET

The ensemble of bipolar regions and the magnetic network both contain a substantial and strongly variable part of the photospheric magnetic flux at any phase in the solar cycle. The time-dependent distribution of the magnetic flux over and within these components reflects the act ion of the dynamo operating in the solar interior. We perform a quanti tative comparison of the flux emerging in the ensemble of magnetic bip oles with the observed flux content of the solar photosphere. We discu ss the photospheric flux budget in terms of flux appearance and disapp earance, and argue that a nonlinear dependence exists between the flux present in the photosphere and the rate of flux appearance and disapp earance. In this context, we discuss the problem of making quantitativ e statements about dynamos in cool stars other than the Sun.