field-line reconnection

field-line reconnection

[′fēld ‚līn ‚rē·kə′nek·shən] (astronomy) A topological rearrangement of the magnetic field lines surrounding an astronomical body, for example, the transfer of lines between open and closed configurations in the terrestrial magnetotail; a possible source of the energy released explosively in solar flares and magnetospheric substorms. Also known as field line annihilation; magnetic merging.