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    magnetic reconnection tagged posts

    A new theory for how Black Holes and Neutron Stars Shine Bright

    December 2, 2019, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Here, a massive super-computer simulation shows the strong particle density fluctuations that occur in the extreme turbulent environments that host black holes and neutron stars. Dark blue regions are low particle density regions, while yellow regions are strongly over-dense regions. Particles are accelerated to extremely high speeds due to the interactions with strongly turbulence fluctuations in this environment. Credit: Image from published study

    Astrophysicists employed massive super-computer simulations to calculate the mechanisms that accelerate charged particles in extreme environments. They concluded their energization is powered by the interplay of chaotic motion and reconnection of super-strong magnetic fields.

    For decades, scientists have speculated about the origin of ...

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    Unexpected Rain on Sun Links two Solar Mysteries

    April 6, 2019, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Mason’s article analyzed three observations of Raining Null-Point Topologies, or RNTPs, a previously overlooked magnetic structure shown here in two wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light. The coronal rain observed in these comparatively small magnetic loops suggests that the corona may be heated within a far more restricted region than previously expected.
    Credit: NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory/Emily Mason

    Researchers find rain on the sun in an unexpected place. The findings could create a new link between two of the biggest mysteries in solar physics. For five months in mid 2017, Emily Mason did the same thing every day...

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    First-ever views of elusive Energy Explosion

    November 17, 2018, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Artist depiction of the MMS spacecraft that provided the first view of magnetic reconnection.
    Credit: NASA/GSFC

    Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have captured a difficult-to-view singular event involving “magnetic reconnection” – the process by which sparse particles and energy around Earth collide producing a quick but mighty explosion – in the Earth’s magnetotail, the magnetic environment that trails behind the planet.

    Magnetic reconnection has remained a bit of a mystery to scientists. They know it exists and have documented the effects that the energy explosions can have – sparking auroras and possibly wreaking havoc on power grids in the case of extremely large events – but they haven’t completely understood the details...

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    New Magnetic Process in Turbulent Space

    May 10, 2018, Categories  Biology/Biotechnology, Health/Medical

    In this visualization, as the supersonic solar wind (yellow haze) flows around the Earth's magnetic field (blue wavy lines), it forms a highly turbulent boundary layer called the 'magnetosheath' (yellow swirling area). A new research paper describes observations of small-scale magnetic reconnection within the magnetosheath, revealing important clues about heating in the sun's outer layers and elsewhere in the universe. Credit: NASA/GSFC

    In this visualization, as the supersonic solar wind (yellow haze) flows around the Earth’s magnetic field (blue wavy lines), it forms a highly turbulent boundary layer called the ‘magnetosheath’ (yellow swirling area). A new research paper describes observations of small-scale magnetic reconnection within the magnetosheath, revealing important clues about heating in the sun’s outer layers and elsewhere in the universe. Credit: NASA/GSFC

    Explorations in Earth’s space environment by NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft have discovered a surprising new magnetic event in turbulent plasma. Magnetic reconnection is one of the most important processes in the space – filled with charged particles known as plasma – around Earth...

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