Magnetic reconnection is a process of fundamental importance in space and astrophysical plasmas. In geospace, reconnection is the primary means by which solar-wind plasmas and electric fields are…

This is a $349,997 grant awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to the Space Science Institute (SSI), a nonprofit research organization in Boulder, Colorado. The grant supports research on the physics of magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration in space and astrophysical plasmas. Specifically, the research aims to investigate the onset and dynamic consequences of magnetic reconnection activity, including the properties of bursty bulk flows and dipolarization events, as well as the acceleration of charged particles to high energies. The findings from this research are expected to directly support the goals and objectives of NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, which is designed to study the fundamental physics of magnetic reconnection. There is no set-aside designation for this grant, and SSI frequently serves as a prime recipient or subrecipient on federal grants and contracts related to space science research and education.

Magnetic reconnection is a process of fundamental importance in space and astrophysical plasmas. In geospace, reconnection is the primary means by which solar-wind plasmas and electric fields are efficiently transferred into earth s magnetosphere and by which magnetic energy stored in the magnetotail is released and the tail is reconfigured into its quiet state. A major effect of reconnection and of the dynamic evolution associated with reconnecting fields is the acceleration of charged particles by induced electric fields and parallel electric fields. This constitutes an important component in the overall energy balance of the magnetosphere and is also of increasing relevance for humans and human assets through space weather effects. The magnetospheric multiscale (MMS) mission, with its variable spacecraft separations from tens to thousands of kilometers, with its high-rate burst-mode data system, with its interspacecraft ranging and alarm system, and with its 3D electric field measurements, is designed to take the ultimate step in investigating the physics of reconnection and particle acceleration. The proposed research addresses mechanisms and dynamics of magnetic reconnection and the effects on particles, which includes plasma heating, the generation, propagation, and consequences of fast flows and the acceleration of particles to high energies. Specifically we propose to investigate . The onset and dynamic consequences of activity. This includes specifically properties of fast flows (bursty bulk flows) and dipolarization events .the acceleration of charged particles to high suprathermal energies. This inolves use of the dynamic fields from the MHD simulations to investigate test particle motion and acceleration. Results from our investigations will be directly applicable to the goals and objectives of the MMS mission and serve to enhance the scientific return, as well as to focus the goals of this mission.