Space weather studies the physical conditions of the space environment influenced by the Sun's activity and its effects on Earth, technology, and human health. Solar-induced events, such as flares, coronal mass ejections, and high-speed solar wind, can alter Earth's magnetic field and upper atmosphere, potentially impacting radio communications, satellite navigation, Earth observation, power distribution, and transportation.
INGV carries out Space Weather monitoring and surveillance activities through a network of geomagnetic observatories e ionospheric which allow you to follow in real time the evolution of space conditions circumterrestrial. Observational data is processed in real time and used to monitor geospatial conditions and support the development of observation and forecasting products.
In the ionospheric field, the INGV continuously monitors the conditions of the atmospheric layer that reflects and modifies the propagation of radio waves and satellite signals. These activities allow us to evaluate the reliability of high-frequency (HF) radio communications and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), such as GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. The Institute also performs measurements of the ionospheric scintillation in various regions of the world, including the Arctic area of Svalbard, South America and the Mediterranean, contributing to the understanding of the phenomena that can degrade the quality of satellite signals.
In the field of geomagnetism, the INGV manages a network of geomagnetic observatories that includes three national observatories located in Northern, Central, and Southern Italy, and two observatories in Antarctica, dedicated to continuously recording variations in the Earth's magnetic field. Geomagnetic disturbances associated with solar activity provide crucial information for assessing the effects of space weather. Rapid variations in the magnetic field can affect numerous technological infrastructures, including transmission lines and power plants, rail transport, and oil and gas pipelines.
"The STORM room (Space weather monitoring Room) It is the operational infrastructure dedicated to INGV's Space Weather surveillance and constitutes the integration point of the three main components through which the Institute contributes to the study and monitoring of the space environment:
- the observation networks, which ensure continuous monitoring of the ionosphere and the geomagnetic field;
- scientific research and the development of models and algorithms, which allow observations to be transformed into monitoring, nowcasting and forecasting products;
- IT infrastructures, responsible for the acquisition, processing, and distribution of operational products and the provision of services.
Operational applications in the Space Weather field include support for civil aviation. INGV participates, in collaboration with the Italian National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), in the international consortium PECASUS, designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as one of the international centers responsible for providing information and warnings on risks associated with space weather for civil air navigation. INGV is also part of the Space Weather Service Network, a federated European network developed under the European Space Agency (ESA) Space Safety programme to provide timely and reliable Space Weather information and services, integrating observations, models and forecasts provided by bodies and organisations across Europe.
Access the room web page and explore real-time data to discover what's happening right now between the Sun and Earth.
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