Magnetic Reconnection: Explosive Energy Conversion in Space Plasmas

ISSI Workshop

Multipoint measurements, where temporal and spatial variations can be separated, are essential for detecting the complex energy conversion processes in the Earth's magnetosphere. In-situ spacecraft observations of Cluster, MMS and THEMIS have provided new insights in different plasma regions.

The objectives of the workshop is to review progress in research of magnetic reconnection and relevant processes in space plasma, based on recent in-situ multipoint observations and theoretical simulations, and to discuss its astrophysical context. The workshop will cover the following main themes:

• Micro-scale processes of magnetic reconnection
• Role of waves and turbulence
• Multi-scale aspects and large-scale context/consequence
• Advances in data analysis techniques and simulation techniques
• Magnetic reconnection in astrophysics and other environment

Main organizer of the workshop is IWF group leader Rumi Nakamura, conveners are:

• James L. Burch, Southwest Research Institute, USA
• James F. Drake, University of Maryland, USA
• Barbara L. Giles, Goddard Space Flight Center, USA
• Michael Hesse, University of Bergen, Norwegen
• Masahiro Hoshino, University of Tokyo, Japan
• Roy B. Torbert, University of New Hampshire, USA
• Rudolf von Steiger, International Space Science Institute, Bern, Switzerland