<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**: @username_1 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. (username_2 username_2)

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. (username_3)

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

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