Microphysics of Magnetic Reconnection in Near-Earth Space

Microphysics of Magnetic Reconnection in Near-Earth Space PDF Author: Giulia Cozzani
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030561429
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 157

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Book Description
This book presents recent advances in the physics of magnetic reconnection, investigated via both in situ spacecraft observations and fully kinetic numerical simulations. Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process in plasma physics during which the topological reconfiguration of the magnetic field leads to energy conversion and particle energization. The book focuses on the physics of the electron diffusion region (EDR), a crucial region where the electrons are decoupled from the magnetic field and efficiently accelerated by the electric field. By using recent, high-resolution measurements provided by NASA’s Magnetospheric MultiScale Mission (MMS), the book investigates the structure of the EDR at the Earth’s magnetopause. The presented analysis provides evidence for an inhomogeneous and patchy EDR structure. The structure of the EDR appears to be more complex than the in laminar picture suggested by previous observations and simulations. Then, electrons dynamics in the EDR is studied using a novel, fully kinetic Eulerian Vlasov–Darwin model that has been implemented in the Vlasov–DArwin numerical code (ViDA), explained in detail in the book. Lastly, the book covers the testing of this new code, and investigates the contributions of the different terms in the generalized Ohm’s law within the EDR, highlighting the role of the electron inertia term.

Microphysics of Magnetic Reconnection in Near-Earth Space

Microphysics of Magnetic Reconnection in Near-Earth Space PDF Author: Giulia Cozzani
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030561429
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 157

Get Book

Book Description
This book presents recent advances in the physics of magnetic reconnection, investigated via both in situ spacecraft observations and fully kinetic numerical simulations. Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process in plasma physics during which the topological reconfiguration of the magnetic field leads to energy conversion and particle energization. The book focuses on the physics of the electron diffusion region (EDR), a crucial region where the electrons are decoupled from the magnetic field and efficiently accelerated by the electric field. By using recent, high-resolution measurements provided by NASA’s Magnetospheric MultiScale Mission (MMS), the book investigates the structure of the EDR at the Earth’s magnetopause. The presented analysis provides evidence for an inhomogeneous and patchy EDR structure. The structure of the EDR appears to be more complex than the in laminar picture suggested by previous observations and simulations. Then, electrons dynamics in the EDR is studied using a novel, fully kinetic Eulerian Vlasov–Darwin model that has been implemented in the Vlasov–DArwin numerical code (ViDA), explained in detail in the book. Lastly, the book covers the testing of this new code, and investigates the contributions of the different terms in the generalized Ohm’s law within the EDR, highlighting the role of the electron inertia term.

Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetic Reconnection PDF Author: Walter Gonzalez
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331926432X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 542

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Book Description
This book provides an overview of recent research highlights in the main areas of application of magnetic reconnection (MR), including planetary, solar and magnetospheric physics and astrophysics. It describes how research on magnetic reconnection, especially concerning the Earth's magnetosphere, has grown extensively due to dedicated observations from major satellite missions such as Cluster, Double Star and Themis. The accumulated observations from these missions are being supplemented by many theoretical and modelling efforts, for which large scale computer facilities are successfully being used, and the theoretical advances are also covered in detail. Opening with an introductory discussion of some fundamental issues related to magnetic reconnection, subsequent chapters address topics including collisionless magnetic reconnection, MHD structures in 3D reconnection, energy conversion processes, fast reconnection mediated by plasmoids, rapid reconnection and magnetic field topology. Further chapters consider specific areas of application such as magnetospheric dayside and tail reconnection, comparative reconnection in planetary systems and reconnection in astrophysical systems. The book offers insight into discussions about fundamental concepts and key aspects of MR, access to the full set of applications of MR as presently known in space physics and in astrophysics, and an introduction to a new related area of study dealing with the annihilation of quantum magnetic fluxes and its implications in the study on neutron star activity. The book is aimed primarily at students entering the field, but will also serve as a useful reference text for established scientists and senior researchers.

Magnetospheric Multiscale

Magnetospheric Multiscale PDF Author: James L. Burch
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9789402414202
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission is a four-spacecraft Solar Terrestrial Probe mission to study magnetic reconnection, a fundamental plasma physical process in which energy stored in a magnetic field is converted into the kinetic energy of charged particles and heat. The driver of eruptive solar events such as flares and coronal mass ejections, magnetic reconnection is also the process by which energy is transferred from the solar wind to Earth’s magnetosphere. Flying in a tetrahedral formation, the four identically instrumented MMS spacecraft measure the plasma, electric and magnetic fields, and energetic particles in the regions of geospace where magnetic reconnection is expected to occur. With interspacecraft distances varying from 400 km to 10 km and instruments capable of making extremely fast measurements (30 ms for electrons), MMS has the spatial and temporal resolution needed to resolve for the first time the microphysics of the electron diffusion region. Here, the magnetic field and the plasma become decoupled, allowing reconnection to occur. During the first of its two mission phases, MMS targets the dayside magnetopause, where the interplanetary and terrestrial magnetic fields reconnect. In the second phase, MMS increases its apogee from 12 RE to 25 RE and probes the nightside magnetosphere, where energy stored in the stretched field lines of the magnetotail is explosively released in magnetospheric substorms. Launched in March 2015 into a low-inclination elliptical orbit, MMS is now in Phase 1 of science operations. This volume, which describes the MMS mission design, observatories, instrumentation, and operations, is aimed at researchers and graduate students in magnetospheric physics and plasma physics. Researchers using the publicly available MMS data will find it particularly useful. Previously published in Space Science Reviews, Volume 199, Nos. 1-4, 2016.

Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetic Reconnection PDF Author: William Lewis
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9781461430469
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This volume covers different aspects of recent theoretical and observational work on magnetic reconnection, a fundamental plasma-physical process by which energy stored in magnetic field is converted, often explosively, into heat and kinetic energy. This collection of papers from the fields of solar and space physics, astrophysics, and laboratory plasma physics is especially timely in view of NASA's upcoming Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, which will use Earth's magetosphere as a laboratory to test, through in-situ measurement of the plasma, energetic particles, and electric and magnetic fields, the various and sometimes competing models and theories of magnetic reconnection. This volume is aimed at researchers in solar physics, magnetospheric physics and plasma physics. Previously published in Space Science Reviews journal, Vol. 160/1-4, 2011.

Microphysics of Cosmic Plasmas

Microphysics of Cosmic Plasmas PDF Author: André Balogh
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 148997413X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 637

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Book Description
Presents a comprehensive review of physical processes in astrophysical plasmas. This title presents a review of the detailed aspects of the physical processes that underlie the observed properties, structures and dynamics of cosmic plasmas. An assessment of the status of understanding of microscale processes in all astrophysical collisionless plasmas is provided. The topics discussed include turbulence in astrophysical and solar system plasmas as a phenomenological description of their dynamic properties on all scales; observational, theoretical and modelling aspects of collisionless magnetic reconnection; the formation and dynamics of shock waves; and a review and assessment of microprocesses, such as the hierarchy of plasma instabilities, non-local and non-diffusive transport processes and ionisation and radiation processes. In addition, some of the lessons that have been learned from the extensive existing knowledge of laboratory plasmas as applied to astrophysical problems are also covered. This volume is aimed at graduate students and researchers active in the areas of cosmic plasmas and space science. Originally published in Space Science Reviews journal, Vol. 278/2-4, 2013.

The Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission...Resolving Fundamental Processes in Space Plasmas

The Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission...Resolving Fundamental Processes in Space Plasmas PDF Author: S. Curtis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Magnetosphere
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission is a multiple-spacecraft Solar-Terrestrial Probe designed to study the microphysics of magnetic reconnection, charged particle acceleration, and turbulence in key boundary regions of Earth's magnetosphere. These three processes, which control the flow of energy, mass, and momentum within and across plasma boundaries, occur throughout the universe and are fundamental to our understanding of astrophysical and solar system plasmas.

Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetic Reconnection PDF Author: Masaaki Yamada
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691232989
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
The essential introduction to magnetic reconnection—written by a leading pioneer of the field Plasmas comprise more than 99 percent of the visible universe; and, wherever plasmas are, magnetic reconnection occurs. In this common yet incompletely understood physical process, oppositely directed magnetic fields in a plasma meet, break, and then reconnect, converting the huge amounts of energy stored in magnetic fields into kinetic and thermal energy. In Magnetic Reconnection, Masaaki Yamada offers an illuminating synthesis of modern research and advances on this important topic. Magnetic reconnection produces such phenomena as solar flares and the northern lights, and occurs in nuclear fusion devices. A better understanding of this crucial cosmic activity is essential to comprehending the universe and varied technological applications, such as satellite communications. Most of our knowledge of magnetic reconnection comes from theoretical and computational models and laboratory experiments, but space missions launched in recent years have added up-close observation and measurements to researchers’ tools. Describing the fundamental physics of magnetic reconnection, Yamada links the theory with the latest results from laboratory experiments and space-based observations, including the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment (MRX) and the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission. He concludes by considering outstanding problems and laying out a road map for future research. Aimed at advanced graduate students and researchers in plasma astrophysics, solar physics, and space physics, Magnetic Reconnection provides cutting-edge information on a vital area of scientific investigation.

Progress Toward Implementation of the 2013 Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics

Progress Toward Implementation of the 2013 Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309671302
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 191

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Book Description
The 2013 report Solar and Space Physics; A Science for a Technological Society outlined a program of basic and applied research for the period 2013-2022. This publication describes the most significant scientific discoveries, technical advances, and relevant programmatic changes in solar and space physics since the publication of that decadal survey. Progress Toward Implementation of the 2013 Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics assesses the degree to which the programs of the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration address the strategies, goals, and priorities outlined in the 2013 decadal survey, and the progress that has been made in meeting those goals. This report additionally considers steps to enhance career opportunities in solar and space physics and recommends actions that should be undertaken to prepare for the next decadal survey.

Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetic Reconnection PDF Author: William Lewis
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9781489986252
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Book Description
This volume covers different aspects of recent theoretical and observational work on magnetic reconnection, a fundamental plasma-physical process by which energy stored in magnetic field is converted, often explosively, into heat and kinetic energy. This collection of papers from the fields of solar and space physics, astrophysics, and laboratory plasma physics is especially timely in view of NASA's upcoming Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, which will use Earth's magetosphere as a laboratory to test, through in-situ measurement of the plasma, energetic particles, and electric and magnetic fields, the various and sometimes competing models and theories of magnetic reconnection. This volume is aimed at researchers in solar physics, magnetospheric physics and plasma physics. Previously published in Space Science Reviews journal, Vol. 160/1-4, 2011.

The Sun to the Earth -- and Beyond

The Sun to the Earth -- and Beyond PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309169194
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
The sun is the source of energy for life on earth and is the strongest modulator of the human physical environment. In fact, the Sun's influence extends throughout the solar system, both through photons, which provide heat, light, and ionization, and through the continuous outflow of a magnetized, supersonic ionized gas known as the solar wind. While the accomplishments of the past decade have answered important questions about the physics of the Sun, the interplanetary medium, and the space environments of Earth and other solar system bodies, they have also highlighted other questions, some of which are long-standing and fundamental. The Sun to the Earthâ€"and Beyond organizes these questions in terms of five challenges that are expected to be the focus of scientific investigations in solar and space physics during the coming decade and beyond.