Description: Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process in a space, solar or astrophysical plasma. It changes the connectivity of plasma elements and has wide-ranging consequences, including the conversion of magnetic energy into other forms and the acceleration of particles by a variety of mechanisms. A series of numerical experiments have recently stimulated a new generation of fluid theories, with current hot topics including the 3D nature of reconnection and its properties in a collisionless plasma. The applications include energy release to heat the solar corona and power solar flares and connectivity changes in flux transfer events and geomagnetic substorms in the Magnetosphere. Containing 38 papers divided into four chapters, the present volume represents the proceedings of a memorable two-day symposium held during the COSPAR General Assembly on the theory and applications of reconnection in the Sun's corona and Earth's magnetosphere.

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