Space Weather: Effects of the Solar Wind Variability on Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Weather Predictions

University Of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

This project will utilize magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system to examine the sensitivity of MHD simulations to variability of the solar wind driver. The work will compare the variability induced by intrinsic, internal magnetospheric dynamics with the variability caused by both temporal and spatial variability in the solar wind. Case studies will be done with real events to allow for comparisons of the simulations with realistic conditions. This work will provide a mechanism for determining the accuracy with which MHD models might in the future be able to predict space weather conditions.