We present observations that suggest the X-line of guide-field magnetic reconnection is not necessarily orthogonal to the plane in which magnetic reconnection is occurring. The plane of magnetic reconnection is often referred to as the L–N plane, where L is the direction of the reversing and reconnecting magnetic field and N is normal to the current sheet. The X-line is often assumed to be orthogonal to the L–N plane (defined as the M-direction) in the majority of theoretical studies and numerical simulations. The four-satellite Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, however, observes a guide-field magnetic reconnection event in Earth’s magnetotail in which the X-line may be oblique to the L–N plane. This finding is somewhat opportune as two of the MMS satellites at the same N location report nearly identical observations with no significant time delays in the electron diffusion region (EDR) even though they have substantial separation in L. A minimum directional derivative analysis suggests that the X-line is between 40° and 60° from M, adding support that the X-line is oblique. Furthermore, the measured ion velocity is inconsistent with the apparent motion of the MMS spacecraft in the L-direction through the EDR, which can be resolved if one assumes a shear in the L–N plane and motion in the M-direction. A nonorthogonal X-line, if somewhat common, would call for revisiting theory and simulations of guide-field magnetic reconnection, reexamination of how the reconnection electric field is supported in the EDR, and reconsidering the large-scale geometry of the X-line.

The discovery of large amplitude narrowband whistler-mode waves at frequencies of tenths of the electron cyclotron frequency in large numbers both inside ∼0.3 au and at ∼1 au provides an answer to longstanding questions about scattering and energization of solar wind electrons. The waves can have rapid nonlinear interactions with electrons over a broad energy range. Counter propagation between electrons and waves is not required for resonance with the obliquely propagating waves in contrast to the case for parallel propagation. Using a full 3D particle tracing code, we have examined interactions of electrons with energies from 0 eV to 2 keV with whistler-mode waves with amplitudes of 20 mV m−1 and propagation angles from 0° to 180° to the background magnetic field. Interactions with wave packets and single waves are both modeled based on observations at ∼0.3 au and 1 au. A test particle simulation approach allows us to examine the particle motion in detail, which reveals kinetic effects of resonant interactions. The simulations demonstrate the key role played by these waves in rapid scattering and energization of electrons. Strong scattering and energization for some initial energy and pitch angle ranges occurs for both counter-propagating and obliquely propagating waves. Strong scattering of strahl electrons counteracts the pitch angle narrowing due to conservation of the first adiabatic invariant as electrons propagate from the Sun into regions of smaller magnetic field. Scattering also produces the hotter isotropic halo. The concomitant limiting of the electron heat flux is also relevant in other astrophysical settings.

We examine a rare and interesting observation of magnetic reconnection embedded in a large-scale region of strong turbulence in which magnetic field annihilation is energizing ions and electrons. The magnetic reconnection event is in Earth’s magnetotail and is associated with enhanced energetic particle fluxes indicating local particle acceleration. Despite substantial electric and magnetic field fluctuations throughout the surrounding, large-scale region, the ongoing magnetic reconnection has many similar properties to laminar, 2D magnetic reconnection including Hall electric fields, Hall magnetic fields, a thin electron current sheet, and ion and electron jets. Notably, the electron jet emerging from the electron diffusion region (EDR) appears to transport sufficient off-diagonal momentum to infer that off-diagonal electron stress can support the reconnection electric field in the EDR even in a turbulent environment. Although the electron jet appears to be briefly (∼1 s) deflected or possibly interrupted by an electromagnetic disturbance, the reconnection appears to otherwise continue for a long period (∼30 minutes) as evidenced by a persistent ion jet. This particular finding implies that the fundamental electron-scale processes inside of the EDR in turbulent magnetic reconnection are not necessarily distinct from those in laminar magnetic reconnection. These observations provide direct confirmation that magnetic reconnection can not only be responsible for but also can continue in regions of large-scale turbulence. Because the electric and magnetic fields of strong turbulence are linked to particle acceleration, it follows that particle acceleration also can continue as a consequence of turbulent magnetic reconnection.