<p>We don't know for sure.</p>

<p>If we knew the answer, then we'd have a new standard model and then the reconnection speed would be nicely comparable to what's predicted. (zibadawa timmy)</p>

<p>However, the typical models of magnetic reconnection do not account for the extra resistivity that results from small-scale electromagnetic waves, which can be upwards of ~12-15 orders of magnitude larger than that caused by Coulomb collisions. (honeste vivere)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-11T19:49:38.377Z
converted comments to community wiki
James K
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-11T19:49:20.110Z
2017-06-11T19:49:20.110Z
James K
<p>Why is the sun's <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_reconnection" rel="nofollow noreferrer">magnetic reconnection</a> effect many orders of magnitude faster than predicted by standard models?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-18T19:36:25.773Z
Do you have a link or reference for either observations of the timescale of magnetic reconnection on the sun or to predictions by "standard models"?
zephyr
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-19T01:09:51.330Z
@zephyr I'm guessing he read about this on wikipedia.  Pretty sure I did.  The short answer to OP's question is "If we knew the answer, then we'd have a new standard model and then the reconnection speed would be nicely comparable to what's predicted by standard models".  I think the relevant wikipedia article lists a few areas of research that may explain some or all of the discrepancy.  Can't remember what the page is, though.
zibadawa timmy
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-17T15:56:11.053Z
The typical models of magnetic reconnection do not account for the extra _resistivity_ that results from small-scale electromagnetic waves, which can be upwards of ~12-15 orders of magnitude larger than that caused by Coulomb collisions.
honeste_vivere
<the-sun><magnetic-field><magnitude>
Why is the magnetic reconnection(of sun) effect many orders of magnitude faster than predicted by standard models?
Darth Ewok
# Why is the magnetic reconnection(of sun) effect many orders of magnitude faster than predicted by standard models?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-18)

Why is the sun's [magnetic reconnection](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_reconnection) effect many orders of magnitude faster than predicted by standard models?

**Tags:** the-sun, magnetic-field, magnitude
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Do you have a link or reference for either observations of the timescale of magnetic reconnection on the sun or to predictions by "standard models"?  
> **username_2**: @zephyr I'm guessing he read about this on wikipedia.  Pretty sure I did.  The short answer to OP's question is "If we knew the answer, then we'd have a new standard model and then the reconnection speed would be nicely comparable to what's predicted by standard models".  I think the relevant wikipedia article lists a few areas of research that may explain some or all of the discrepancy.  Can't remember what the page is, though.  
> **username_3**: The typical models of magnetic reconnection do not account for the extra _resistivity_ that results from small-scale electromagnetic waves, which can be upwards of ~12-15 orders of magnitude larger than that caused by Coulomb collisions.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-06-11. Score: 2

We don't know for sure.

If we knew the answer, then we'd have a new standard model and then the reconnection speed would be nicely comparable to what's predicted. (zibadawa timmy)

However, the typical models of magnetic reconnection do not account for the extra resistivity that results from small-scale electromagnetic waves, which can be upwards of ~12-15 orders of magnitude larger than that caused by Coulomb collisions. (honeste vivere)

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: converted comments to community wiki  

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