Response of the geosynchronous magnetic field to sudden, large increases in solar wind density during perods of strongly southward IMF: MHD simulations and comparison to geosynchronous observations

This thesis will serve to aid in the corroboration of the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code of the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction.; Specifically, the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) will be set to have a strong southward component for a finite period of time with the eventual introduction of a solar wind density pulse. The response of the magnetic field at the geosynchronous orbit will be analyzed.; Next, we use a simulation of the magnetospheric response during the January 10, 1997 event from the hours of 10--12 Universal Time (UT). Similarities in the magnetic field response will be extracted, analyzed and discussed. In the January 10 case we also compare the simulation results to observations from the GOES 8 and GOES 9 satellites.