Observations of Electron Secondary Reconnection in Magnetic Reconnection Front

Abstract

Magnetic reconnectio­n, a fundamental plasma process transforming magnetic field energy into particle energy, is ubiquitous in space and responsible for many explosive phenomena, such as solar flares and gamma ray bursts. Recent numerical theories have predicted that reconnection fronts far from the primary reconnection region can host secondary reconnection in three-dimensional scenarios, different from the conventional two-dimensional diagram where only one X-line stands to sustain reconnection. In this study, we provide direct observational evidence for ongoing secondary reconnection in the reconnection front, via using the unprecedently high-cadence data from NASA’s MMS mission. The secondary reconnection is identified by the presence of X-line, super-Alfvénic electron jet, and non-ideal energy dissipation. Different from the primary ion-electron reconnection, the secondary reconnection is electron-only, with its X-line quasi-perpendicular to the primary X-line. Hence reconnection, when evolving from local to global scales, becomes essentially three-dimensional with different patterns developed. These results provide crucial insights into understanding cross-scale energy transport driven by reconnection in space plasmas.