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Physics and Astronomy Colloquium - Marc Swisdak, University of Maryland

Title: "Magnetic Reconnection and the Explosive Release of Plasma Energy"

Friday, May 24, 2019
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Wilder 104
Intended Audience(s): Public
Categories: Lectures & Seminars

Abstract: Plasmas, particularly the collisionless plasmas found in space,
naturally support magnetic fields.  The sudden release of the energy
contained in those fields during magnetic reconnection drives
spectacular explosions, the most obvious nearby examples of which are
solar flares.  While the first theoretical attempts to explain
reconnection are more then sixty years old, recent advances in both
computational and observational capabilities, in particular the
constellation of spacecraft known as the Magnetospheric Multiscale
(MMS) mission, have revolutionized our understanding of the process.
I will discuss the basic concept of magnetic and reconnection, outline
the theoretical, computational, and experimental landscape, and
conclude with prospects for the future.

For more information, contact:
Tressena Manning
tressena.a.manning@dartmouth.edu
603-646-2854
Permanent URL to this event: https://physics.dartmouth.edu/events/event?event=55693

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