# Electron scale structures and magnetic reconnection signatures in the turbulent magnetosheath

## TL;DR

This study uses MMS spacecraft data to identify electron-scale structures and signatures of magnetic reconnection in the turbulent magnetosheath, supporting the idea that turbulence can generate small-scale reconnection events.

## Contribution

It provides observational evidence of electron-scale reconnection signatures in the turbulent magnetosheath, linking turbulence to reconnection at ion-electron scales.

## Key findings

- Detection of multiple small-scale current sheets.
- Observation of electron jets, heating, and agyrotropy.
- Evidence of ion demagnetization at electron scales.

## Abstract

Collisionless space plasma turbulence can generate reconnecting thin current sheets as suggested by recent results of numerical magnetohydrodynamic simulations. The MMS mission provides the first serious opportunity to check if small ion-electron-scale reconnection, generated by turbulence, resembles the reconnection events frequently observed in the magnetotail or at the magnetopause. Here we investigate field and particle observations obtained by the MMS fleet in the turbulent terrestrial magnetosheath behind quasi-parallel bow shock geometry. We observe multiple small-scale current sheets during the event and present a detailed look of one of the detected structures. The emergence of thin current sheets can lead to electron scale structures where ions are demagnetized. Within the selected structure we see signatures of ion demagnetization, electron jets, electron heating and agyrotropy suggesting that MMS spacecraft observe reconnection at these scales.