HR: 1340h
AN: SM23A-1187    [Abstracts]
TI: Interpretation of multi-satellite observations of extended reconnection x-lines
AU: * Bucher, S
EM: b_steffi.geo@yahoo.com
AF: KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200B, Heverlee, 3001, Belgium
AU: Lapenta, G
EM: giovanni.lapenta@wis.kuleuven.be
AF: KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200B, Heverlee, 3001, Belgium
AU: Lapenta, G
EM: giovanni.lapenta@wis.kuleuven.be
AF: LANL, MS C305, Los Alamos, 87545,
AU: Wan, W
AF: LANL, MS C305, Los Alamos, 87545,
AB: Recent multisatellite observations of reconnection in the solar wind show that vey long extended x-lines are present[1]. Recently we have proposed a mechanism for the extension of x-lines [2]. However, our previous study was limited to zero guide field (antiparallel reconnection). We extend the study here to different guide field values (component reconnection). The dynamics of x-line formation and evolution in 3D magnetic reconnection is studied using a fully kinetic approach. An x-line of small length is initialized using a perturbation localized in the current direction. The electrons and ions drift diamagnetically along the current direction of the initial x-line and are further accelerated by the reconnection electric field. The electron and ion motion is in opposite directions and each species extends one end of the x-line. The effect of the guide field is shown to alter significantly the modus of extension of the x-line. [1] Phan et al., Nature, 439, 7073, 175 (2006). [2] Lapenta, G., et al., Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L10102 (2006).
DE: 7811 Discontinuities (2109)
DE: 7827 Kinetic and MHD theory
DE: 7835 Magnetic reconnection (2723, 7526)
SC: SPA-Magnetospheric Physics [SM]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting