Magnetic reconnection, a change of magnetic field connectivity, is a fundamental physical process in which magnetic energy is released explosively, and it is responsible for various eruptive phenomena in the universe. However, this process is difficult to observe directly. Here, the magnetic topology associated with a solar reconnection event is studied in three dimensions using the combined perspectives of two spacecraft. The sequence of extreme ultraviolet images clearly shows that two groups of oppositely directed and non-coplanar magnetic loops gradually approach each other, forming a separator or quasi-separator and then reconnecting. The plasma near the reconnection site is subsequently heated from ∼1 to ≥5 MK. Shortly afterwards, warm flare loops (∼3 MK) appear underneath the hot plasma. Other observational signatures of reconnection, including plasma inflows and downflows, are unambiguously revealed and quantitatively measured. These observations provide direct evidence of magnetic reconnection in a three-dimensional configuration and reveal its origin.

中文翻译：

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一次太阳喷发中三维磁性重新连接的极紫外成像。

磁场重新连接是磁场连通性的变化，是一个基本的物理过程，在该过程中，磁能以爆炸性方式释放，它负责宇宙中的各种喷发现象。但是，此过程很难直接观察。在这里，利用两个航天器的组合视角，从三个维度研究了与太阳重新连接事件相关的磁拓扑。极紫外图像序列清楚地表明，两组方向相反的磁环和非共面的磁环逐渐接近，形成隔离器或准隔离器，然后重新连接。随后将重新连接位置附近的血浆从约1 MK加热到≥5MK。此后不久，在热等离子体下方出现了温暖的耀斑圈（约3 MK）。重新连接的其他观察标记，清楚地揭示并定量测量了包括血浆流入和流出的流量。这些观察结果提供了在三维结构中进行磁性重新连接的直接证据，并揭示了其起源。