  Based on global conservation principles, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) relaxation
theory predicts the existence of several equilibria, such as the Taylor state
or global dynamic alignment. These states are generally viewed as very
long-time and large-scale equilibria, which emerge only after the termination
of the turbulent cascade. As suggested by hydrodynamics and by recent MHD
numerical simulations, relaxation processes can occur during the turbulent
cascade that will manifest themselves as local patches of equilibrium-like
configurations. Using multi-spacecraft analysis techniques in conjunction with
Cluster data, we compute the current density and flow vorticity and for the
first time demonstrate that these localized relaxation events are observed in
the solar wind. Such events have important consequences for the statistics of
plasma turbulence.
