Transient reconnection: Search for ionospheric signatures

Lockwood, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7397-2172, Cowley, S. W. H. and Sandholt, P. E. (1990) Transient reconnection: Search for ionospheric signatures. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union, 71 (20). pp. 709-720. ISSN 0096-3941 doi: 10.1029/EO071i020p00709-02

Abstract/Summary

The concept of magnetic reconnection originated with the suggestion by Giovanelli [1946] that particles could be energized during solar flares near nulls in the magnetic field. Hoyle [1949] subsequently proposed that such a process could also act at nulls between the geomagnetic field and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) to generate the energized particles responsible for auroral displays. However, the idea of the interconnection of the two magnetic fields, as we know it today, was first presented by Hoyle's student, Dungey [1953, 1961].