Observational tests of a double loop model for solar flares

A model for the energetics of solar flares, developed by Melrose (1997), is based on magnetic reconnection between two current-carrying magnetic loops . A detailed numerical investigation of the model has been made to identify those configurations that lead to energy release in a flare. Our results p redict a strong relation between the ratio of currents in the interacting l oops for a favoured flare configuration, and provide further support for a proposed method of generating long loops connecting different active region s. Both of these predictions are amenable to observational verification.