Electron-scale dynamics of the diffusion region during symmetric magnetic reconnection in space
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Magnetic reconnection is an energy conversion process that occurs in many astrophysical contexts including Earth’s magnetosphere, where the process can be investigated in situ by spacecraft. On 11 July 2017, the four Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft encountered a reconnection site in Earth’s magnetotail, where reconnection involves symmetric inflow conditions. The electron-scale plasma measurements revealed (i) super-Alfvénic electron jets reaching 15,000 kilometers per second; (ii) electron meandering motion and acceleration by the electric field, producing multiple crescent-shaped structures in the velocity distributions; and (iii) the spatial dimensions of the electron diffusion region with an aspect ratio of 0.1 to 0.2, consistent with fast reconnection. The well-structured multiple layers of electron populations indicate that the dominant electron dynamics are mostly laminar, despite the presence of turbulence near the reconnection site.
Date Issued
2018-12-21
Date Acceptance
2018-11-06
Citation
Science, 2018, 362 (6421), pp.1391-1395
ISSN
0036-8075
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Start Page
1391
End Page
1395
Journal / Book Title
Science
Volume
362
Issue
6421
Copyright Statement
© 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works http://www.sciencemag.org/about/science-licenses-journal-article-reuseThis is an article distributed under the terms of the Science Journals Default License.
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000453845000056&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
ST/N000692/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Science & Technology - Other Topics
ACCELERATION
MAGNETOTAIL
TAIL
Publication Status
Published