Three-dimensional network of filamentary currents and super-thermal electrons during magnetotail magnetic reconnection

Xinmin Li; Rongsheng Wang; Quanming Lu; Christopher T. Russell; San Lu; Ian J. Cohen; R. E. Ergun; Shui Wang

doi:10.1038/s41467-022-31025-9

Nature Communications (Jun 2022)

Three-dimensional network of filamentary currents and super-thermal electrons during magnetotail magnetic reconnection

Xinmin Li,
Rongsheng Wang,
Quanming Lu,
Christopher T. Russell,
San Lu,
Ian J. Cohen,
R. E. Ergun,
Shui Wang

Affiliations

Xinmin Li: CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, Department of Geophysics and Planetary Science, University of Science and Technology of China
Rongsheng Wang: CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, Department of Geophysics and Planetary Science, University of Science and Technology of China
Quanming Lu: CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, Department of Geophysics and Planetary Science, University of Science and Technology of China
Christopher T. Russell: Earth Planetary and Space Sciences, University of California
San Lu: CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, Department of Geophysics and Planetary Science, University of Science and Technology of China
Ian J. Cohen: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
R. E. Ergun: Department for Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado
Shui Wang: CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, Department of Geophysics and Planetary Science, University of Science and Technology of China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31025-9
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Magnetotail reconnection plays an important role in explosive energy conversion. Here, the authors show direct evidence of super-thermal electrons up to 300 keV within X-line region in Earth’s magnetotail, indicating effective electron acceleration due to turbulence.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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