Constraining Magnetic Reconnection Characteristics with the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process of plasma physics. During reconnection, magnetic energy undergoes conversion into kinetic energy imparted to the constituent particles of the plasma. Although ions undergo heating via reconnection, electron motions are believed to govern reconnection physics more closely. The Magnetospheric Multi-Scale (MMS) mission was designed specifically to resolve the relatively small-scale structure of the Electron Diffusion Region (EDR) using four separate suites of sophisticated instrumentation. This paper outlines two new instances of the MMS satellite constellation passing through or near the EDR. One instance occurred on December 14th of 2015, and the other on January 10th of 2016. For these events we investigate the physics occurring at both the magnetic null and flow stagnation point: two separate locations in the case of asymmetric reconnection. We evaluate waves near the electron cyclotron and lower hybrid frequencies as possible sources of energization and turbulence for the electrons undergoing acceleration inside the EDR.