Magnetodisk Magnetic reconnection in the centrifugally dominated giant planets

Understanding the dynamics of planetary magnetospheres and auroral phenomena hinges significantly on magnetic reconnection. The rapid rotation of Jupiter and Saturn and the internal mass sources in the inner magnetospheres give rise to the magnetodisk current sheet that encircles the planet. The magnetodisk current sheet provides a place that is conducive to reconnection. Notably, the magnetodisk reconnection process is not confined to the nightside magnetosphere. The reconnection sites occur at various local times throughout the magnetosphere and rotate with the magnetosphere. The discretely distributed small-scale magnetodisk reconnection sites can lead to a comprehensive release of energy and mass from the magnetosphere.