ESA uses cookies to track visits to our website only, no personal information is collected.
By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. OK Find out more about our cookie policy.
Date: 22 January 2008 Copyright: Dr. Michael Shay, University of Delaware, USA Show in archive: true
Magnetic field lines (white) on a colour contour plot of electron flow speed. Magnetic field lines flow in towards the centre of the view and merge. After they merge, the magnetic field line tension flings the plasma to the left and right away from the origin. The electron diffusion region corresponds to the red, yellow and green regions along the centre. Once reconnection starts, this region grows with time, reaching a length of 20 ion skin depths, much longer than previously thought.