Magnetic Reconnection and Associated Particle Acceleration in High-energy Astrophysics

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in understanding magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration in high-energy astrophysics, highlighting the physics of fast reconnection and nonthermal particle energization in relativistic regimes.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in relativistic magnetic reconnection physics and its role in high-energy astrophysical phenomena.

Findings

Insights into magnetohydrodynamic and collisionless reconnection dynamics

Understanding of particle energization mechanisms

Identification of key physics processes and frontier problems

Abstract

Magnetic reconnection occurs ubiquitously in the universe and is often invoked to explain fast energy release and particle acceleration in high-energy astrophysics. The study of relativistic magnetic reconnection in the magnetically dominated regime has surged over the past two decades, revealing the physics of fast magnetic reconnection and nonthermal particle acceleration. Here we review these recent progresses, including the magnetohydrodynamic and collisionless reconnection dynamics as well as particle energization. The insights in astrophysical reconnection strongly connect to the development of magnetic reconnection in other areas, and further communication is greatly desired. We also provide a summary and discussion of key physics processes and frontier problems, toward a better understanding to the roles of magnetic reconnection in high-energy astrophysics.