Italian polar data center for capacity building associated with the IHY Original Research Article

The International Heliophysical Year offers a good opportunity to develop and coordinate studies on the Sun–Earth system by using a large variety of simultaneous data obtained by satellite/spacecraft and ground based instruments. Among these data we recall the ones coming from solar and interplanetary medium observations, auroral, neutron monitor, geomagnetic field, ionospheric, meteorological, and other atmospheric observatories. In this context, an Information System for the Italian Research in Antarctica has started in 2003, aiming to collect information on the scientific research projects funded by the National Antarctic Research Program of Italy since its establishment (1985). It belongs to Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management of Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research as Italian Antarctic Data Center. This project, as the Italian Polar Database, gathers also information on research activities conducted in North Pole regions. This Information System can be a relevant resource for capacity building associated with the International Heliophysical Year, especially for people involved in interdisciplinary researches. We describe the present status of the Italian Polar Data Center and its potential use.