Astrophysics has a superpower: it allows us to see what remains invisible to our eyes. Gamma radiation is one example: it is the most energetic existing "light", emitted primarily by the extraordinary "reincarnations" of stars: from supernova remnants to pulsars to black holes. 

This radiation is so energetic that we cannot focus it, and for this reason, we have had to create ingenious methods to capture and study it. We will journey among these extraordinary objects, immersing ourselves in the world of "gamma" astrophysics and the "superpowers" they harness to understand their most "explosive" secrets.

CONTACT: Martina Cardillo (martina.cardillo@inaf.it)

Gamma-ray bursts are the most luminous explosions in the Universe that emit a prompt high-energy signal followed by a comparatively long-lived broadband afterglow. They are produced by the collision of compact objects or the collapse of a massive progenitor, with observable differences in their emission. 

Our group studies all aspects of GRBs using multiwavelength modelling of the afterglow emission to understand the progenitor's properties and environment. Additionally, we use gravitational waves to analyze these events in a multimessenger approach for merger-driven GRBs.

CONTACT: Aishwarya Thakur (aishwarya.thakur@inaf.it)

Stars and planets form inside giant molecular clouds rich in atomic and molecular gas, and cold dust, at a few tens of Kelvin. Gravity, turbulence, magnetic fields, and feedback processes shape the interstellar medium from the scale of the clouds (hundreds of parsecs) to the scale of protoplanetary disks (hundreds of astronomical units). 

The Stars and Planets Formation Group has been studying the various phases of this process at different scales for over twenty years, thanks to large observational surveys in photometry and spectroscopy, which have made it a group of absolute excellence at international level, and in recent years also thanks to simulations of the chemistry of protoplanetary disks, with several ongoing projects in synergy with other European research institutes.

CONTACT: Chiara Mininni (chiara.mininni@inaf.it)

The NASA/ASI mission IXPE launched on 9th December 2021, was recently awarded the Bruno Rossi prize by the American Astronomical Society for the new discoveries obtained, thanks to the X-ray polarimetry, on black holes, neutron stars, supernovae remnants and galactic nuclei, studying their intense magnetic fields and their particle acceleration mechanisms.

Over the last 30 years, the IAPS team has tenaciously developed new detection techniques for X-ray polarimetry, which led to the creation of the instrument on board the IXPE. Today, we are working on the analysis of data from astrophysical sources and on the development of a new generation of X-ray polarimeters for future missions, which are receiving great renewed interest.

CONTACT: Alessandro Di Marco (alessandro.dimarco@inaf.it) and Fabio La Monaca (fabio.lamonaca@inaf.it)

The stars, as well as the intergalactic, interstellar, and interplanetary space, are environments permeated by matter in the state of plasma: a globally neutral medium composed of ionised matter. The study of plasmas is crucial for understanding many astrophysical processes, from particle acceleration to dissipation in non-collisional media. In this context, the heliosphere represents a unique laboratory for space plasma investigation, being close to us and therefore accessible to direct measurements.

Our group investigates the properties of the plasma originated from the Sun and its impact on Earth and planetary environments. We have been involved for many years in the design and management of experiments on board space missions and in data analysis. The combination of theoretical models and space observations allows us to model the solar wind dynamics and its interaction with the Earth, thus evaluating the impact of solar disturbances on technological systems and human activities.

CONTACT: Simone Benella (simone.benella@inaf.it)

Planetary atmospheres are a laboratory of inestimable value for the comprehension of how our Solar System, or the extrasolar ones, could evolve from a protoplanetary nebula to their current configuration. The atmosphere, acting as a sort of shield or thermal blanket for its own planet, is the scene of countless chemical reactions triggered by its interaction with the host star’s electromagnetic radiation. Dynamical events like winds, storms and hurricanes contribute in mixing the atmospheric composition by interacting with the planet’s interior (either a rocky surface or the gaseous envelop of a giant like Jupiter), hence defining what gases, particles or ices can be obsereved from space. 

Here at IAPS we study the planetary atmospheres of both rocky planets, like those of Venus and Mars rich in carbon dioxide, and those of gaseous giants like Jupiter and Saturn, mostly made of molecular hydrogen and methane. Let’s analyze together the data from several space missions launched by the european and american space agencies (ESA and NASA), in view of future missions like JUICE, dedicated to the study of Jupiter and its icy satellites, or ARIEL, that instead will try to characterize the atmospheres of an ensemble of exoplanets.

CONTACT: Fabrizio Oliva (fabrizio.oliva@inaf.it)

The Planetary Space Weather team in IAPS investigates the magnetospheres and exospheres of Solar System bodies, and their interactions with the Sun and the external environment (in terms of radiation, interplanetary magnetic fields and solar plasma). PSW is the application to other bodies of the Space Weather at the Earth, born as the investigation of Solar-Earth environment interactions, and their effects on technology and telecommunications. 

The PSW studies at IAPS are performed through theoretical models and investigations as well as through data analysis coming from Earth-based telescopes and from satellites. The main involvement of the team is presently on the ESA/JAXA mission BepiColombo now flying to Mercury through the instrument suite SERENA, which of one of the 4 sensors (ELENA) was almost entirely designed and tested here in IAPS. SERENA will measure in-situ populations of neutral and ionized atoms at different energies, and will help to understand the dynamics of the environment of Mercury.

CONTACT: Valeria Mangano (valeria.mangano@inaf.it)

Surface spectroscopy is a fundamental investigative technique for the study of planetary surfaces. The sunlight that hits the surface of a planet is absorbed, reflected or emitted in different ways depending on the composition present. By analyzing the spectrum of this light, we can determine which elements or compounds are present. It is, therefore, a precious tool for exploring the mysteries of our solar system thanks to which it is possible to identify the minerals present on the surface of a planetary body. 

On board space missions, such as DAWN and Mars Express, INAF installs instruments called spectrometers with which its researchers can investigate and study the minerals present in the soil and ultimately reconstruct the evolutionary history of distant worlds without ever leaving Earth.

CONTACT: Giacomo Carrozzo (giacomo.carrozzo@inaf.it) and Andrea Raponi (andrea.raponi@inaf.it)

Dust is the smallest Solar System building block and its study provides important insights about formation and evolution of planetary bodies (planets, asteroids, comets) it belongs to. Dust composition, studied by means of spectroscopic analysis, provides materials composing the studied body, that are linked to the source region of the planetary body and its following evolution. Physical properties (roughness, porosity) give indication of the body pristinity (i.e., if it is a primitive body or was subjected to processing). Photometry (i.e., interaction with radiation at different angles) gives us optical properties, also related to planetary body’s evolution.

This research group studies planetary dust and surface, by means of data provided by spacecrafts (cameras, spectrometers, dust detectors, microscopes) on different targets (in particular, asteroids and comets) and their comparison with laboratory measurements on meteorites and planetary analogs.

CONTACT: Andrea Longobardo (andrea.longobardo@inaf.it) 

JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) was selected in 2012 as the first Large-class mission within the “Cosmic Vision” programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). JUICE is the first European-led mission to explore the Jupiter system. It was successfully launched on April 14, 2023 and will arrive at Jupiter in July 2031.

JUICE will characterize conditions that may have led to the emergence of habitable environments on so-called “ocean worlds” such as the icy Galilean satellites Ganymede, Europa and Callisto. Ganymede was selected as JUICE's primary target because it is the largest satellite, is fully differentiated, and has a unique magnetic environment. For Europa the focus is on geology, surface composition and shallow subsurface structure. The study of the diversity of the satellite system, also important for shedding light on their origins, will be complemented by several flybys of Callisto and further information collected remotely on Io and other smaller targets. Frequent observations of Jupiter's atmosphere and magnetosphere, conducted over a few years, will further improve our understanding of the evolution and dynamics of the Jovian system.

The Italian contribution to JUICE is substantial. In particular, INAF leads the JANUS optical camera, co-leads the MAJIS imaging spectrometer, and is also involved in the RIME ice penetrating radar.

CONTACT: Federico Tosi (federico.tosi@inaf.it)

Research in Planetary Geology is anchored in the dialogue between Earth Sciences and Planetology. Also known as Astrogeology, it originated in the 1960s along with lunar exploration. In fact, space exploration made it possible to apply geological investigation techniques already established on Earth to other solid (rocky or icy) bodies in the Solar System. Earth-based geological investigations can be used to decipher the current and past environments of other planets, just as extra-terrestrial landscapes and rocks can teach us much about Earth's distant past. 

The many geological techniques that can be applied to the investigation of extra-terrestrial morphology, stratigraphy, tectonics, and volcanism range from planetary mapping, structural analysis, numerical modelling, investigations of analogue environments, to augmented reality. Such techniques not only enable the acquisition of valuable information on the evolution of the exposed surface, but also reconstruct the subsurface and internal structure of the bodies under investigation. Geological interpretation of remotely sensed planetary surfaces enables the planning and optimization of investigations of instruments aboard space missions. In conclusion, from its inception to the present, this discipline has allowed and will increasingly allow planetary bodies to be brought closer to humans, making them less distant.

CONTACT: Valentina Galluzzi (valentina.galluzzi@inaf.it)

In recent years, the interest in our Moon increased significantly, with the approval of a new NASA program for human lunar exploration, Artemis, as well as several successful Chinese robotic missions. The Moon race ultimately allowed the collection of a large amount of lunar rock samples and lunar regolith. Following a 20-years gap, from 1994 onwards, several space missions, first led by USA and later by Japan, India and China, drastically improved the knowledge of our natural satellite. For these reasons, the study of the lunar surface is fundamental. 

Recently, thanks to various projects led by INAF and other institutions, in our group, made up of researchers and technologists expert in data analysis and laboratory activities, we undertake a detailed study of several regions of interest across the Moon. In particular, we study the morphological and mineralogical characteristics of the lunar surface through data acquired by cameras and imaging spectrometers. Furthermore, this work is supported by laboratory measurements of lunar meteorite samples and  simulants, aimed at improving the understanding of the chemical and physical characteristics of the surface of our satellite.

CONTACT: Francesca Zamboni (francesca.zambon@inaf.it)

IAPS’ COMET (External Communication) office deals with initiatives aimed at the media, schools and the general public, and is focused on disseminating the results and methods of scientific research and more generally, scientific culture. Among the last activities, we will present the exhibition "Time Machines" hosted at Palazzo Esposizioni, EduINAF, the online magazine dedicated to science education and outreach, the participation to the European Researchers' Night and the organization of the Italian Astronomy Championships. 

COMET Office also deals with the production of innovative editorial projects in the scientific sector such as the Virtual and Augmented Reality products created thanks to the MUVISS (Virtual Museum of Space Sciences) and the live observation sessions of the "Il cielo in Salotto" series. We will illustrate the main ongoing and future activities, highlighting the possible collaboration opportunities in IAPS for university and young researchers, in the field of science communication, dissemination or education.

CONTACT: Livia Giacomini (livia.giacomini@inaf.it)

To study and understand space you need passion, intelligence and good computers.

The data to be analyzed in our sector is growing at an impressive rate and requires ever faster machines and ever larger DBs that use fast and reliable networks. HPC computing, use of GPUs, AI and containerization techniques are now staples in the scientific computing landscape and require continuous training due to their rapid evolution.

IAPS is equipped with a structure, the Institute IT Services, which defines, manages and coordinates the common IT services (CED and computing centres, storage, software, network and IT security) and collaborates with the collegues in the choice and management of the most appropriate software and hardware systems for the various projects in which the Institute is involved.

The Institute's IT infrastructure and the most important projects in which it is involved will be illustrated in the Info Point.

REFERENTE: Giuseppe Di Persio (giuseppe.dipersio@inaf.it)