The magnetosphere refers to the region encompassing a planet and its magnetic field. For Earth specifically, our magnetic field is shaped by the onslaught of streams of charged particles from the sun known as solar wind. Solar wind collides with the magnetic field of the earth and is deflected by it, deforming the magnetosphere in the process. As a result, the behavior of the magnetosphere changes with variations in the interplanetary magnetic field and solar activity. Understanding the behavior of the magnetosphere is crucial for accurate predictions of space weather storms and protecting earth-based systems such as satellites, airlines, and power grids. The purpose of this project is to study the properties of the solar wind at specific stages in the 11-year solar cycle in order to simulate changes in the magnetosphere resulting from fluctuating solar activity. By modeling the magnetosphere, we can better understand our planets relationship with the sun as well as predict times of vulnerability to space weather.
Student Research Symposium. Project for Dr. Nykyri’s Space Weather (PS214) class.
Keywords: Magnetosphere, solar wind, simulation, modeling, interplanetary magnetic field, solar cycl
