Reconnection occurs when the magnetic field lines in plasma tagged posts

Photo by Elle Starkman/PPPL Office of Communications ) Physicist Will Fox with Magnetic Reconnection Experiment.

Reconnection occurs when the magnetic field lines in plasma – the collection of atoms and charged electrons and atomic nuclei, or ions, that make up 99% of the visible universe — converge and forcefully snap apart. Electrons that exert a varying degree of pressure form an important part of this process as reconnection takes place. Their findings could lead to more accurate predictions of damaging space weather and improved fusion experiments.

The team found that variation in the electron pressure develops along the magnetic field lines in the region undergoing reconnection...