Recent progresses in theoretical studies and satellite observations for collisionless magnetic reconnection

Abstract

As an essential mechanism in large scale fast magnetic energy releases and field reconfigurations processes in space, astrophysical, and laboratory plasmas, magnetic reconnection, particularly collisionless magnetic reconnection, has been studied for more than 65 years. Many progresses have been achieved in recent years and basic features of the process have been well understood, largely due to more and more satellite observation data available in the last decade. However, a few outstanding issues are still remained unresolved. We in the paper review the development of collisionless magnetic reconnection studies and major achievements in recent years, and also briefly discuss the open questions remained to be answered in studies of collisionless magnetic reconnection. © 2012 The Author(s).