The “Space Weather Awareness” Seminar was held at the Centre for Higher Defence Studies in Rome. The seminar's subject was the processes that occur on the sun, in the solar wind, and in the magnetosphere, which until a few years ago were purely the domain of scientific research. These processes are of increasing operational interest due to their impact on our technological systems.
In recent years, our civilisation has indeed relied on space and the use of artificial satellites for telecommunications, global positioning systems, and remote sensing. These, along with many other seemingly robust terrestrial systems, such as the electricity grid, can suffer severe impacts, disruptions, and malfunctions due to solar and geomagnetic storms.
The aim of the study day was therefore to take stock and establish a programme concerning the capabilities offered by institutional bodies, academic institutions, and research centres to our national industry, in order to create the right synergies and activate the so-called “country system”. This would allow Italy to play a key role in international cooperation, or at least at a European level, by offering citizens services capable of preventing or mitigating the risks associated with these types of phenomena.
The seminar was structured in two distinct phases: the first featured a series of mini-conferences to introduce the various topics of “Space Weather”, while the second consisted of an expert panel discussion to take stock of the current situation and outline programme possibilities for the establishment of this Service.
The proceedings, in particular, began with welcome remarks from Generals Orazio Panato, President of the Centre for Higher Studies, Roberto Corsini, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Carlo Magrassi, Deputy Commander of the Air Corps, who introduced the topic and underlined the importance of national excellences acting synergistically to activate the “country system” so that the risks associated with these phenomena can be better perceived and foreseen, and Italy can have a leading role in related European programmes.
Following this, Professor Mauro Messerotti from the National Institute for Astrophysics explained the impact of space storms on society and the current possibilities for predicting them and mitigating their effects.
Next, the effects on the ionosphere were discussed, with Dr. Bruno Zolesi and Dr. Enrico Zuccheretti from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
The seminar was also attended by Dr. Antonio Meloni, a manager at INGV, who spoke about the measurement of the geomagnetic field and the stations in Italy that carry it out, and Dr. Paola De Michelis, who explained the behaviour of the Earth's magnetosphere when affected by magnetic storms or sub-storms.
Gianclaudio Cassisa, from Thales Alenia Space, explained the effects of solar activity on space missions.
Colonel Luigi De Leonibus, finally, represented the organisation of the Air Force Meteorological Service, illustrating the available capabilities for the establishment of a national service for “Space Weather”.
At the conclusion of the seminar, the round table, chaired by Colonel De Leonibus, brought together most of the speakers, as well as Professor Bernardo De Bernardinis, President of the Higher Institute for Environmental Research and Protection, and the Honourable Marco Airaghi, current advisor to the Minister of Defence for aerospace activities. The latter stressed that satellites are now indispensable for guaranteeing many services to citizens and that responsibilities must therefore be taken in this regard, taking into account, however, the real capabilities of our country. The seminar presentations are available for consultation and download on the institutional website.
www.meteoam.it or at the following link:
http://www.meteoam.it/sites/all/files/Space_Weather/SpaceWeather_fronte.pdf.
