학술논문
Electron-Scale Dynamics of the Diffusion Region during Symmetric Magnetic Reconnection in Space
Document Type
Working Paper
Author
Torbert, R. B.; Burch, J. L.; Phan, T. D.; Hesse, M.; Argall, M. R.; Shuster, J.; Ergun, R. E.; Alm, L.; Nakamura, R.; Genestreti, K.; Gershman, D. J.; Paterson, W. R.; Turner, D. L.; Cohen, I.; Giles, B. L.; Pollock, C. J.; Wang, S.; Chen, L. -J.; Stawarz, Julia; Eastwood, J. P.; Hwang, K. - J.; Farrugia, C.; Dors, I.; Vaith, H.; Mouikis, C.; Ardakani, A.; Mauk, B. H.; Fuselier, S. A.; Russell, C. T.; Strangeway, R. J.; Moore, T. E.; Drake, J. F.; Shay, M. A.; Khotyaintsev, Yu. V.; Lindqvist, P. -A.; Baumjohann, W.; Wilder, F. D.; Ahmadi, N.; Dorelli, J. C.; Avanov, L. A.; Oka, M.; Baker, D. N.; Fennell, J. F.; Blake, J. B.; Jaynes, A. N.; Contel, O. Le; Petrinec, S. M.; Lavraud, B.; Saito, Y.
Source
Subject
Language
Abstract
Magnetic reconnection is an energy conversion process important in many astrophysical contexts including the Earth's magnetosphere, where the process can be investigated in-situ. Here we present the first encounter of a reconnection site by NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft in the magnetotail, where reconnection involves symmetric inflow conditions. The unprecedented electron-scale plasma measurements revealed (1) super-Alfvenic electron jets reaching 20,000 km/s, (2) electron meandering motion and acceleration by the electric field, producing multiple crescent-shaped structures, (3) spatial dimensions of the electron diffusion region implying a reconnection rate of 0.1-0.2. The well-structured multiple layers of electron populations indicate that, despite the presence of turbulence near the reconnection site, the key electron dynamics appears to be largely laminar.
Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, and supplementary material
Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, and supplementary material