<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Have you heard the expression that one can't see the forest for all the trees? These are two entire *papers* on the same topic written from the perspective of both the particle and field perspectives. Why are you intentionally limiting either paper to a single sentence or paragraph?</DIV></p><p>This is rich coming from you. Seriously, have you seen the way you respond to posts? I referred to it because that is the onyl thing you referred to UNTIL I told you that that sequence of sentences didn't say what you said it did. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I'm suggesting that both viewpoints are desribing the same events, one from a field orientation, and one from a more 'fundamental" particle physics perspective. At the fundamental level of particle physics, it is the charged particles that do the exchanges of kinetic energy. At the fundamental overview level, it is the ciruits which provide the necessary mass and energy to generate these kinetic energy echanges at the point of 'reconnection".</DIV></p><p>Particles may be more fundamental, but you can't just ignore the fields. This is what you are doing. You can't base a theory entirely on ONLY fundamentals. You need more advanced analysis to build upon these fundamentals. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I think you are being unreasonable by not taking a wider angle shot at this. Both of these papers are expressly related to auroral activity. One uses a field orientation (B orientation), whereas the other paper uses a particle/circuit (E) field orientation. </DIV></p><p>Not taking the fact that these are very old papers into consideration, you are extremely oversimplifying everything. The paragraph YOU referred to as the basis of your argument these last few pages deals ONLY with the structure of the magnetopause. Go back and read it. Seriously. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Both of these are mathematically correct presentations. Both of them describe the same thing from two different perspectives. They are one and the same concepts.</DIV></p><p>You've gone from a respectable standpoint of trying to prove this to be correct to just making unfounded claims. Show us this math you speak of. We've shown you a set of two rigorous set of papers(Schindler, Hesse, Birn and Hesse, Schindler) that show you "our" math. Where is your backup? The foundation? Alfven did lay the foundation of MHD theory, but where is the foundation of SPECIFICALLY reconnection that you claim he has? </p><p> Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I've acknowledge the mathematical validity of Parker's work and Birn's work, whereas you seem unable and unwilling to accept that Alfven's viewpoint is equally valid and equally scientifically supported, even though Birkeland emprically supported Alfven's views.</DIV></p><p>Alfven's viewpoints on many things were certainly valid...he won the Nobel Prize as you continue to remind us. However, you have not shown that his work actually says what you say it does. If it's in Cosmic Plasma, scan the pages and show us. We didn't require you to go out and purchase a 150 dollar book to participate in the argument. If you have the book and a scanner, this isn't too much to ask. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>IMO if you were being reasonable, you would see that and accept that.How about the rest of the parts? You're looking at only one tree in a whole forest of trees. Why?</DIV></p><p>How so? I've looked at every "brand" as you put it of reconnection. I've looked at mathematical models(and understood) of the specific reconnection processes that allow for particle acceleration(Fermi acceleration). You, on the other hand, claim to understand reconnection papers but claim they are saying things that demonstrate that you didn't glean anything from them. You even STILL keep talking about the fact that magnetic field lines don't disconnect and reconnect. If you truly understood reconnection you would not feel the need to make such assertions. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>But I didn't limit my arguments to one book now did I?</DIV></p><p>Then why do you only consider someone to have studied "EU "theory"" if they've read Cosmic Plasma? Myself, DrRocket, and I believe derek have read through Alfven's papers...DrRocket read through another one of Alfven's book. But you brush these off as not good enough. So yes, I believe you do limit your arguments to one book, and one experiment. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> All these models are predicated on the movement and flow of charged particles through plasma, where plasma is being constrained by the magnetic field into flowing "lines" of plasma. </DIV></p><p>Nobody has ever denied that current isn't flowing. Not you, not me, not derek, not DrRocket. Current flow does not mean the system can be described adequately with circuit theory. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>If you were being reasonable IMO, you would accept that they are all one and the same idea being presented from two different viewpoints (B and E). </DIV></p><p>It's easy for you to say that. But you would never agree with someone just because they say it is the reasonable thing to do...you'd require that they show you WHY it is reasonable. You have done nothing but convince me it is even more unreasonable. I tried talking to an old friend from MIT about this and he just laughed it off and said "why are you wasting your time talking to fools"...I tried not to be so dismissive and here we are. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Birkeland's emprical experiments demonstrate that circuit reconnection works.</DIV></p><p>That does not mean that is what is happening in the magnetosphere. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> I don't see why you can't see the connection then between Birn's approach and Alfven's approach.</DIV></p><p> </p><p>Because I am only swayed by real science. Simulations, observations, data...you know, what modern science is based upon. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I've taken it seriously enough to read through at least a hafl dozen papers now on this topic. I can't even seem to get you to read and focus on a more than a single sentence of a single paper.</DIV></p><p>First, I'd argue that you didn't read them at all. It is clear you didn't understand them even if you did read them. If you had understood them you wouldn't feel the need to change everything. </p><p>Again, this is extremely funny coming from you. You are the king of focusing on a single sentence and basing your entire argument upon that sentence. This is the reason I focused on that one sentence...because it is that same sentence you based your entire argument on in the past few pages. If you don't believe me, go back and read your own words. You continually referred to where he "mentioned Parker by name" and then in the next paragraph "proposes a more fundamental approach". This sequence of events ONLY happens in that paragraph, where they discuss the structure of the magnetopause, NOT magnetic reconnection. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>What exactly is "incorrect" in your opinion, and what 'evidence' are you talking about?</DIV></p><p>The incorrectness lies in the assertion that circuit reconnection is an adequate replacement for magnetic reconnection. If you want to know what evidence I'm talking about, go back and read the thread since I joined the conversation.</p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> If and when you get around to reading and dealing with *the rest* of both of these papers, you let me know. </DIV></p><p>I did read it. It does nothing to support your argument. Both have valid points, but they certainly do not say what you say they do. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Any true student of science knows the value of real emprical experimentation like Birkeland performed with spheres in a plasma vacuum. </DIV></p><p>Science is getting to the point where many things are not empirically demonstrable. Try creating a neutron star, a black hole, or even just a star, in the lab and get back to me. Some systems are too complex to create with our technology. The only way we can study them is through observation and simulation. This is not mythos. This is not magic. This is what science has become. Empirical science will always reign supreme, but it is often quite limited in its application. Birkeland's experiments are fine, but you are wildly twisting his experiments into saying something they don't. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>You don't have any real emprical test of magnetic reconnection. Even the Princeton work *assumed* that the electric field remain constant *while in the middle of z-pinch process* no less.</DIV></p><p>NO THEY DIDN'T. We told you this many times. Read the damn paper. It says they assume a constant current density. Regardless, their assumptions don't influence the outcome of the experiment. The experiment is what it is. If they assumed that unicorns are real, the end result would've still been the same. </p><p> Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> That whole z-pinch process requires *lots* of "current flow" and plenty of "circuits" to make it work, I assure you. I've seen nothing even remotely like an emprical test of the magnetic reconnection concept that comes anywhere close to the calibur and scientifc excellence of Birkeland's work with spheres in a vacuum. How am I supposed to be "convinced' by an argument that doesn't even exist and has no empirical support? What exactly *is different* between Birkeland's circuit reconnection experiments and Parker or Birn's concept of "magnetic reconnection"? Be specific. <br /> Posted by michaelmozina</DIV></p><p>Stop lumping Parker's 40 year old definition of reconnection in with Birn's. Of course Birn drew from Parker's theories, but his theories are quite different if you actually read and understand them. </p><p>If you've read the papers and understood them, I don't need to be specific. They are specific enough, trust me. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>