Observation of Magnetic Reconnection in a Region of Strong Turbulence

Author and Affiliation

Robert E. Ergun, University of Colorado, Boulder
Neha Pathak, University of Colorado, Boulder
Maria E. Usanova, University of Colorado, Boulder
Tien Vo, University of Colorado, Boulder
Yi Qi, Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP)
NArges Ahmadi, LASPFollow
Frederick Wilder, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington
Roy B. Torbert, University of New Hampshire, Durham/Southwest Research Institute
Alexandros Chasapis, University of Colorado Boulder
Steven Schwartz, Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Sciences, University of Colorado
James L. Burch, Soutwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TexasFollow
David L. Newman, Department of Physics, University of Colorado
Drew L. Turner, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, 20723, USA
Michael Hesse, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035
Daniel Gershman, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

Presentation Type

Talk

Presenter Format

In Person Meeting Talk

Topic

Nightside Science

Start Date

11-5-2022 3:15 PM

Abstract

We report observations of magnetic reconnection (MR) coexisting with strong turbulence in the Earth’s magnetotail. In spite of substantial electric and magnetic field fluctuations, the on-going MR has properties similar to laminar, 2D, MR including Hall and, a thin electron current sheet, and ion and electron jets. Notably, the electron jet emerging from the diffusion region is transporting sufficient off-diagonal momentum to infer that off-diagonal electron stress may support in the diffusion region even in a turbulent environment. These observations provide direct confirmation that MR can not only be responsible for but also can continue in regions of large-scale turbulence.