PN-RIC ASTRASud
ASTRASud – Aerospace, Space Weather, and Technology for Multimessenger Astrophysics Research in Southern Italy
The ASTRASud project aims to enhance Italy’s role in Space Surveillance (SSA), Space Weather studies, and multimessenger astronomy by strengthening INAF research infrastructures in Southern Italy. It includes upgrading the Noto and SRT radio telescopes and the Catania solar telescope, alongside interventions on the Northern Cross in Medicina. Additionally, new instruments will be installed: TANDEM (Isnello), MezzoCielo (Sardinia), and a LOFAR station in Noto. These infrastructures will improve the monitoring of space debris and solar phenomena, providing high-precision and high-sensitivity data for the European EUSST network. ASTRASud will also foster innovative Space Weather services through multi-band observations, fast analysis systems, and near-real-time data dissemination. Furthermore, it will contribute to timely responses to alerts regarding transient astrophysical events. The project strengthens synergies between research, industry, and local territories, driving innovation and space security at both the European and international levels.
Work Packages (WPs):
WP1: Project office (ref. IRA – Istituto di Radioastronomia di Bologna)
WP2: Infrastrutture radio (ref. IRA – Istituto di Radioastronomia – sede di Noto)
WP3: Infrastrutture ottiche (ref. OACt – Osservatorio di Catania)
WP4: Space Surveillance Tracking (ref. OAPa – Osservatorio di Palermo)
WP5: Space Weather (ref. OAC – Osservatorio di Cagliari)
WP6: Astronomia Multi–messaggera (ref. OAPd – Osservatorio di Padova)
Expected Results:
WP1: Planning of six project meetings and two public events; delivery of communication and dissemination activities, along with promotional and educational materials; creation of a dissemination video; implementation of project monitoring and management tools.
WP2: Modernization of the SRT, Noto, and Northern Cross radio telescopes to position them at the forefront of multimessenger astronomy, solar physics, and space surveillance. Installation of new receivers and advanced mechatronic controls at SRT, and deployment of a European LOFAR 2.0 network node in Noto.
WP3: Slab adaptation and infrastructure construction to host the TANDEM telescope; manufacturing and installation of the STEERABLE TELESCOPE CLUSTER (TANDEM); development of a triple-channel solar telescope at the Catania Observatory; manufacturing and installation of the primary collector for the MezzoCielo demonstrator.
WP4: Development of computing systems and software for the optimal exploitation of the infrastructures built under WP2 (radio observations) and WP3 (optical observations), with a specific focus on data fusion from multi-band and multi-facility observations.
WP5: Commissioning and validation of technologies for “Solar Agility” across radio and optical bands for Space Weather; design and implementation of the architecture for processing and managing radio/optical SWx observational products; development of a public portal for integrated data dissemination.
WP6: Development of software tools for dynamic scheduling and remote operation of SRT, integrated with backends for real-time data acquisition and analysis. Definition and validation of observational strategies for the follow-up of gravitational waves, transient sources, and multimessenger events in synergy with MezzoCielo.
Project Start Date: 10.06.2026
Duration: 30 months
Funding Program:
PN-RIC – Programma Nazionale Ricerca, Innovazione e Competitività per la transizione verde e digitale 2021-2027
Azione 1.1.1 – Potenziamento delle Infrastrutture di Ricerca (IR) pubbliche che operano in ambito S3 finalizzato all’avanzamento tecnologico delle imprese
Lead Partner: INAF-Istituto di Radioastronomia di Bologna (ref. Germano Bianchi)
Partners:
Osservatorio di Catania (ref. Paolo Romano)
Osservatorio di Palermo (ref. Giuseppina Micela)
Osservatorio di Cagliari (ref. Alberto Pellizzoni)
Osservatorio di Padova (ref. Demetrio Magrin)