NOAA AR 8210: Evolution and flares from multiband diagnostics

NOAA 8210 has been a region showing a remarkable level of activity well bef ore solar maximum. Dominated by st large, rapidly rotating delta spot, it p roduced several intense flares during its disk passage at the end of April- beginning of May 1998. We examine the development of AR 8210 in H alpha and white light (WL) and study the evolution of its complex magnetic topology. While the other principal flares are briefly reviewed, the great X1.1/3B h are of 2 May, which was observed at Kanzelhohe Solar Observatory during a S OHO/UVCS ground support campaign, is studied in detail. This event has been documented in full-disk H alpha and Na-D intensitygrams, Dopplergrams, and magnetograms, with a time cadence of one minute each. The Bare was associa ted with a CME and produced significant geomagnetic effects. Furthermore, w e point out the perspectives for our planned Flare Monitoring and Alerting System, since the two new instruments (Magneto-Optical Filter and Digital H alpha camera), which made their first operational run with the campaign, a re crucial components for this program.