Evidence of a Nonorthogonal X-line in Guide-field Magnetic Reconnection

We present observations that suggest the X-line of guide-field magnetic reconnection is not necessarily orthogonal to the plane in which magnetic reconnection is occurring. The plane of magnetic reconnection is often referred to as the L–N plane, where L is the direction of the reversing and reconnecting magnetic field and N is normal to the current sheet. The X-line is often assumed to be orthogonal to the L–N plane (defined as the M-direction) in the majority of theoretical studies and numerical simulations. The four-satellite Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, however, observes a guide-field magnetic reconnection event in Earth's magnetotail in which the X-line may be oblique to the L–N plane. This finding is somewhat opportune as two of the MMS satellites at the same N location report nearly identical observations with no significant time delays in the electron diffusion region (EDR) even though they have substantial separation in L. A minimum directional derivative analysis suggests that the X-line is between 40° and 60° from M, adding support that the X-line is oblique. Furthermore, the measured ion velocity is inconsistent with the apparent motion of the MMS spacecraft in the L-direction through the EDR, which can be resolved if one assumes a shear in the L–N plane and motion in the M-direction. A nonorthogonal X-line, if somewhat common, would call for revisiting theory and simulations of guide-field magnetic reconnection, reexamination of how the reconnection electric field is supported in the EDR, and reconsidering the large-scale geometry of the X-line.