geomagnetism and aeronomy activities in italy during igy, 1957/58

In 2007 several events were organized to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the International Geophysical Year<br />(IGY, 1957-1958). The celebrations will last until 2009 and are taking place within different contexts: the International<br />Polar Year (IPY), the International Heliophysical Year (IHY), the electronic Geophysical Year (eGY)<br />and the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE).<br />IGY offered a very appropriate and timely occasion to undertake a series of coordinated observations of various<br />geophysical phenomena all over the globe. Italy took part in the broad international effort stimulated by IGY. In<br />fact, Italy participated in observations and studies in many of the proposed scientific areas, in particular Geomagnetism<br />and Aeronomy. The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica (ING) started the installation of observatories,<br />and updated and ensured continuous recording of geophysical observations. Geomagnetism, ionospheric<br />physics, seismology, and other geophysical disciplines, were advanced. Although much of the work was undertaken<br />in Italy, some attention was also devoted to other areas of the world, in particular Antarctica, where Italy<br />participated in seismological observations. This paper gives a summary of the Geomagnetism and Ionospheric<br />Physics activities within IGY. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of this historical event and its outcomes<br />for the improvement of geophysical observations and the post-IGY growth of scientific investigations in Italy.