Preface to Special Topic Section: Advances in Magnetic Reconnection Research in Space and Laboratory Plasmas. Part II

Advances in magnetic reconnection research in space and laboratory plasmas are discussed. A mini-review by A. Lazarian and H. Karimabadi concerns the effects of turbulence on magnetic reconnection. This is another specific area, which is undergoing rapid development, evolving from basic science to specific application across multiple fields of plasma physics. This includes the effects of externally imposed turbulence, and also the spontaneously generated turbulence found in reconnecting current sheets. This mini-review includes effects of the so-called plasmoid instability in the development of turbulence within the current sheet. The 3D aspects of magnetic reconnection are investigated in the context of current sheet stability including extensive comparisons between laboratory and simulations.