Regional latitudinal magnetic and ionospheric effects of the March 13, 1989 storm over Italy

Abstract

In March 1989, after a series of intense solar events, relevant effects on the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere were recorded. Astonishing phenomena (exceptional brilliant auroras, total blackouts of HF radio links, and one of the strongest magnetospheric and ionospheric storms ever recorded in this century) were observed in Italy during this month. In this paper the study of the main magnetic and ionospheric effects that occurred before and during the strong magnetospheric storm of March 13, as they were observed over Italy, is reported. Geomagnetic field elements from two Italian magnetic observatories L'Aquila, Castello Tesino and a temporary magnetic station (S. Nicolô Gerrei) as well as data scaled from two ionospheric stations, Rome and Gibilmanna, are discussed considering their latitudinal dependence and other different site characteristics.