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ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI ASTROFISICA NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ASTROPHYSICS Opening of a Centre for the Study of Solar Variability in Rome The new research centre will help us understand the effects Of the Sun’s variations upon the Earth’s climate. The data will be made available to the Public Authorities. . The Centre for the Study of Solar Variabilità will be officially opened on January 23, 2004 at the Astronomical Observatory of Rome, which belongs to INAF, at Monte Porzio Catone. This Centre operates on the basis of a scientific cooperation between the Astronomical Observatory of Rome, the Department of Physics of Rome University “Tor Vergata” and the National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology (INGV). It has been established and financed by the “Regione Lazio” with a special bill. Its task is the promotion and development of research in the field of variability of the Sun’s emissions and of the environment between the Sun and the Earth, in the framework of the European Union programmes, as well as of programmes created by National and International institutions. The synergy among these three scientific institutes, which constitute the CVS, guarantees a high level of skills and resources in the specific fields of solar variability, of the Sun-Earth relations, as well as of the environmental and climate studies . The official opening, which will be attended by the Governor of the “Regione Lazio”, Mr. Francesco Storace, as well as by the Councillor, Mr. Angiolo Marroni, promoter of the CVS bill, counts among several institutional guests, among whom the Environment Minister, Mr. Altero Matteoli, and is accompanied by a conference about the problem of global warming, as well as about the role of the Sun in climat changes, sponsored by the Environment Ministry. Scientists coming from National and Foreign Research Institutes will also intervene. Among them, we can cite Prof. Antonio Navarra of INGV, Prof. Giuseppe Orombelli of the University Bicocca of Milan, Prof. Sabatino Sofia of Yale University, Prof. Gerard Thuillier of the Service d’Aèronomie du CNRS and Prof. Judit Pap, of Maryland University - NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. The CVS goals will be illustrated in a press conference, which will take place at 10.00 a.m. The Sun is a very stable star, which only bears small variations in its emission of radiations. These variations, which are small from the astronomical point of view, certainly have an influence upon the Earth atmosphere and biosphere. Our current scientific knowledge of these topics are rather scarce: therefore, by focussing our attentino upon solar variations, it is possible to better understand their influence upon the Earth. The measurements obtained thanks to more and more sophisticated technologies used both in round and space observatories have showed that the radiation flux coming from the Sun is not constant, but rather varies together with the eleven-year cycle of magnetic activity of the Sun. According to the general opinion of the scientific community, these variations might significantly contribute significativo to current climate changes. The CVS scientists will address this goal in their researches. The Centre will give its technical and scientific support to the Public Authorities, among which the Civil Protection, and will provide an updated database, accessible to scientists as well as to the general public, with the relevant data for a better knowledge of the global warming. The Centre will also carry out highlevel training, by offering grants too, and will not overlook public outreach activities. Contacts Prof. Roberto Buonanno [email protected] cell. 349 5700170 website www.inaf.it CVS website http://www.mporzio.astro.it/cvsINAF Astronomical Observatory of Rome, via di Frascati, 33 – 00040 Monte Porzio Catone Viale del Parco Mellini, 84 I-00136 Roma, Italia www.inaf.it / [email protected]