Developed new space weather products to monitor and
mitigate the effect of perturbations of solar origin
Monitor the ionosphere in real time for mitigate the effect of perturbations of solar origin, which threaten the functioning of global satellite radionavigation systems and communications in the HF band: this is the objective of six new products developed by a team of researchers and technologists from theNational Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and just implemented in the portal of theEuropean Space Agency (ESA).
"The earth's ionosphere is that layer of the atmosphere that extends from 50 kilometers upwards, capable of influencing the propagation of radio waves used by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). It also supports links in the HF band which is widely used by amateur radio, air and maritime communications.", explains Carlo Scotto, INGV researcher. "The ionosphere is not stable, this is because our star, the Sun, emits a large amount of energy in the form of visible light, UV and X rays and charged particles, electrons and protons, which make up the solar wind. When these charged particles reach the Earth, they interact with our planet's magnetic field, deforming it and causing geospheric storms.”, continues the researcher.
The aurora boreali, amazing luminous phenomena that occur in the skies of high latitudes, they are a spectacular effect of geospheric storms.
"Many phenomena occur during geospheric storms, including changes in the physical parameters of the ionosphere. Since it affects the propagation of radio waves, satellite radio navigation systems and HF transmissions can be affected. To monitor these changes we have implemented six products that have been accepted by ESA and integrated into its portal”, adds Scott.
This implementation is part of ESA's big project 'Space Weather Service Network Development and pre-operation' which brings together the activity of 52 research groups from 17 countries.
"Space Weather deals with the problems resulting from the perturbations of the circumterrestrial environment, where man deploys complex technological systems, on whose functioning contemporary society is increasingly dependent. Product implementation work has been conducted entirely at INGV, in the Environment Department, thanks to the contribution of researchers and technologists who study the physics of the ionosphere and radio propagation. They were developed sophisticated mathematical models also able to provide graphic elaborations. The continuation of this research, with the improvement of the calculation algorithms, will allow INGV to consolidate itself as a Service Provider of ESA”, concludes the researcher.
Useful links:
ESA-Italy
https://www.esa.int/Space_in_Member_States/Italy
The ESA Space Weather Service Network
https://swe.ssa.esa.int/ssa-space-weather-activities
The forecast map over Europe of the maximum frequency that can be used to establish a radio link over a distance of 3000 km is one of the most advanced products currently available.
It was developed by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology and is available on the Space Weather portal of the European Space Agency.
The Total E-Content Forecast Map for Italy is one of the most advanced products currently available.
It was developed by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology and is available on the Space Weather portal of the European Space Agency aaaa