Observe the magnetic field 'dance' near the earth with 3D technology

Scientists have captured the first 3D image of a magnetic " dance " connected in close proximity to the earth, known as magnetic reconnection activities.

Data from the ESA Cluster satellite will help us better understand the phenomenon of magnetic reconnection, a process related to star formation, solar explosions and wind energy penetration. the sun enters the environment near the earth.

The phenomenon of magnetic reconnection is a process of magnetic field lines from different magnetic fields and reconnecting, and then combined with the previously separated plasma. Plasma is a gas composed of ions and electrons but does not carry electricity, occupying a large space in the universe and is guided by the action of electric and magnetic fields.

A diagram of a null null line was observed by four Cluster satellites in the earth's magnetotail zone on January 10, 2001. (Photo: Diagram: Chinese Academy of Sciences (C. Xiao), background image: NASA)

The phenomenon of magnetic reconnection converts the energy of the magnetic field into element energy, creating streams and heating the plasma. This affects the earth because it has the potential to affect telecommunications satellites and prevent efficient production of electricity in controlled nuclear fusion reactors. On Earth, we can also see this effect in the Northern Light's extreme manifestations - the North Pole.

On October 1, 2001, four Cluster satellites flew in formation about 110,000 kilometers from the magnetotail earth, an area like a long tail located at the night surface of the earth's magnetic field. The satellites circled around the reconnection zone for about 15 minutes.

During reconnection, the geometry of the magnetic field forms an X-shape, also called a magnetic null . (In radio electronics, null is a region or vector in which the signal from two or more antenna elements in an antenna system eliminates each other almost entirely.) Analyzing 2D techniques, data on magnetic fields, plasma density and current velocity collected during this phenomenon show that satellites only see a reconnection region with X shape, or null magnetic field.

A group of scientists led by Chinese researchers challenged this result, saying that this phenomenon can be seen with 3D technology.

Scientists have examined the theory results published 20 years ago, predicting that any small change in movement in such a reconnection area will produce only one but two reconnection regions linked to each other from a magnetic field, a pair of magnetic null fields and a recombinant geometry linked together in a magnetic field.

By analyzing a subset of the same data in 3D with a higher time resolution, they discovered that the two reconnection regions from the field were clearly visible along with null-null lines, This line binds two magnetic null fields, a phenomenon that has never been observed before.

Cluster satellite (Photo: ESA)

Only when seen with 3D techniques and the viewpoints of Cluster satellites, can scientists determine that there are actually two phenomena linked together, occurring at the same time.

When reduced to two-dimensional, this complex 3D magnetic field geometry is still consistent with the previous result , the result is assumed by 2D techniques, assuming that the null-null line is seen as a point X It is also consistent with the previous findings in the laboratory and the results in the universe obtained from the Cluster satellite.

'This is the first time the connection between the two magnetic reconnection areas has been observed in their place by 3D technology. This result is another important scientific achievement of Cluster satellite thanks to the successful scientific collaboration of Chinese, American and European researchers, ' Mr. Philippe Escoubet, Cluster project scientist and Double Star of the European Aviation Authority, speaks.

(Photo: ESA)

Thanh Van