@article{Eriksson:2024:1538-4357/ad25f0,
author = {Eriksson, S and Swisdak, M and Mallet, A and Kruparova, O and Livi, R and Romeo, O and Bale, SD and Kasper, JC and Larson, DE and Pulupa, M},
doi = {1538-4357/ad25f0},
journal = {Astrophysical Journal},
title = {Parker Solar Probe Observations of Magnetic Reconnection Exhausts in Quiescent Plasmas near the Sun},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad25f0},
volume = {965},
year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
AB  - Parker Solar Probe observations are analyzed for the presence of reconnection exhausts across current sheets (CSs) within R < 0.26 au during encounters 4-11. Exhausts are observed with nearly equal probability at all radial distances with a preference for quiescent Tp < 0.80 MK plasmas typical of a slow-wind regime. High Tp > 0.80 MK plasmas of a fast wind characterized by significant transverse fluctuations rarely support exhausts irrespective of the CS width. Exhaust observations demonstrate the presence of local temperature gradients across several CSs with a higher-Tp plasma on locally closed fields and a lower-Tp plasma on locally open field lines for an interchange-type reconnection. A CS geometry analysis directly supports the property that X-lines bisect the magnetic field rotation θ-angle, whether the fields and plasmas are asymmetric or not, to maximize reconnection rates and available magnetic energy. The CS normal width d cs distributions suggest that a multiscale reconnection process through nested layers of bifurcated CSs may be responsible for observed power-law distributions beyond the median d cs ∼ 1000 km with an exponential d cs distribution present for ion kinetic dissipation scales below this median. Magnetic field shear θ-angles are essentially identical at R < 0.26 and 1 au with medians at θ ∼ 55° near the Sun and θ ∼ 65° at 1 au. In contrast, the tangential flow shear distributions are different near and far from the Sun. A bimodal flow shear angle distribution is present near the Sun with strong shear flow magnitudes. This distribution is modified with radial distance toward a relatively flat distribution of weaker flow shear magnitudes.
AU  - Eriksson,S
AU  - Swisdak,M
AU  - Mallet,A
AU  - Kruparova,O
AU  - Livi,R
AU  - Romeo,O
AU  - Bale,SD
AU  - Kasper,JC
AU  - Larson,DE
AU  - Pulupa,M
DO  - 1538-4357/ad25f0
PY  - 2024///
SN  - 0004-637X
TI  - Parker Solar Probe Observations of Magnetic Reconnection Exhausts in Quiescent Plasmas near the Sun
T2  - Astrophysical Journal
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad25f0
VL  - 965
ER  - 

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