Compressible magnetic-field reconnexion

Abstract

The Sonnerup solution for reconnexion about an X-type magnetic null point is modified to involve only stable shocks. However, the reconnexion process described does not originate at the line breaking point but is engineered by precise boundary conditions in the inflow region. Our solution is also valid in the compressible case. The limit on the reconnexion rate (in Mach number units) is about 1·5. A non-uniqueness of the solution raises the possibility of viewing flare phenomena as abrupt jumps to different branches of the solution.