Message from the Dawn of time...

[Michael]

X is at a point half way between the currents, Michael.

Yes, and it's *a* (not the only) point where the magnetic field topology has been altered by the movement of the plasma currents. Contrary to your oversimplified assertions, magnetic "fields" form as a whole continuum, not in tiny little individualized lines. The whole fields *move* with the particles RC. The fields *merge* as two full continuum, not in one little x point in the middle.

The "rate" of reconnection is related to the *acceleration/movement* of charged particles. No particles, no *reconnection*. Your "toy" understanding of the process called "magnetic reconnection" isn't "real" RC, and Priest explained why your toy isn't real too.

Michael: No X point = no magnetic reconnection. "Two field lines approach the X-point, merge there, forming a separatrix, and then they reconnect forming a field line which encloses both currents."

Notice how he talked about "enclosing both currents"? You missed the whole enclosure part, along with the currents, and the movement of those currents. Epic oversimplification on your part RC.

Dungey used "neutral" point for X and marked it with an N:
The Neutral Point Discharge Theory of Solar Flares. a Reply to Cowling's Criticism
Figure 3 is basically Somov's figure but of course for magnetic reconnection in plasma.

And the key ingredient and inconvenient fact that you left out is that Dungey included a huge electrical current running down the middle of that "neutral" point, whereas Clinger has nothing but his empty "vacuum"! Get a grip! Dungey explains where the kinetic energy and electrical energy comes from (plasma), whereas you have nothing but a vacuum!

You can't actually learn MHD theory via osmosis as you seem to presume. You actually have to 'study' it RC. When are you going to visit an actual library?

 

[RealityCheck01]

Yes, ...snipped .plasma current' delusions...

No, Michael: You still do not get the point (pun intended) !
X is the point where the magnetic reconnection is happening.
X is halfway between the currents
X is in vacuum.
Thus magnetic reconnection is happening in vacuum .

I see that you have returned to the mistake of several years ago about applying the rate of reconnection that is defined for plasma to magnetic reconnection in vacuum!
In vacuum, a "rate of magnetic reconnection" would be infinite as an infinite number of magnetic field lines cross X, break and reconnect in any time period.

X marks the spot !

Michael: No X point = no magnetic reconnection. "Two field lines approach the X-point, merge there, forming a separatrix, and then they reconnect forming a field line which encloses both currents."

Dungey used "neutral" point for X and marked it with an N:
The Neutral Point Discharge Theory of Solar Flares. a Reply to Cowling's Criticism
Figure 3 is basically Somov's figure but of course for magnetic reconnection in plasma.

The Neutral Point Discharge Theory of Solar Flares. a Reply to Cowling's Criticism, is about MR in plasma as stated in my post. My point is that there is a neutral point N (actually in Figure 2). Dungey's point is that "the condition of equilibrium restores an infinite current density at the neutral point N".

 

[RealityCheck01]

From 20th March 2012 on ISF

The term "reconnection rate" is defined in resistive MHD models of magnetic reconnection, e.g. Sweet-Parker and Petschek (and probably other models). These models define reconnection rate in terms of the
Lundquist number which is a parameter of a plasma. The Lundquist number uses the Alfvén speed which is a characteristic of a wave in plasma.

Now what is MHD, Michael Mozina? Since you obviously have forgotten:
Magnetohydrodynamics

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) (magneto fluid dynamics or hydromagnetics) is an academic discipline which studies the dynamics of electrically conducting fluids. Examples of such fluids include plasmas, liquid metals, and salt water or electrolytes. The word magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is derived from magneto- meaning magnetic field, and hydro- meaning liquid, and -dynamics meaning movement. The field of MHD was initiated by Hannes Alfvén,[1] for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1970.

Magnetic reconnection in plasma is described using MHD.
MR reconnection rates are only defined for plasma.

W.D. Clinger's simple derivation of magnetic reconnection has no plasma !