Exploring Magnetic Reconnection in Planetary Magnetospheres:
Particle Energization, Magnetic Flux and Particle Transport
 

Weijie Sun
Assistant Research Physicist 
Space Sciences Laboratory
University of California, Berkeley

Wed, April 3, 2024 - 4:00 PM

weijiesun_ssl_ucberkeley1.jpgMagnetic reconnection is a fundamental process in diverse cosmic plasma environments. It can change magnetic topology and convert magnetic energy into plasma kinetic energy. This process is believed to trigger various space weather phenomena, such as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), solar flares, and magnetospheric substorms within planetary magnetospheres. 

This presentation will first introduce magnetic reconnection, providing an overview of its physical concept and multi-scale structures. The presentation will then outline several ongoing projects related to magnetic reconnection. These projects primarily focus on particle energization, magnetic flux, and particle transportation within the magnetospheres of Mercury and Earth. A comparative analysis of these processes between Mercury and Earth, as well as across different planetary magnetospheres, will be discussed.

Refreshments served at 3:45 PM

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