Integrating ground-based and space-born observations to create a new space weather facility at the National Observatory of Athens

We describe a new space weather facility implemented at the Institute of Astronomy Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing (IAASARS) of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA). The facility aims to provide observations, processed data and space weather nowcasting and forecasting products, designed to support the space weather research community and operators of commercial and industrial systems, as a part of the PROTEAS project. To this end, the following ground-based and space-borne observations as well as model results and tools are integrated: a) chromospheric imaging in Ha by a small full-disk solar telescope in regular basis; b) a prediction tool for forecasting Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) in relation to solar eruptive events; c) real time monitoring of ionospheric conditions by the upgraded Athens Digisonde; d) a database with near real-time solar observations which will be available to the community through a web-based facility (HELIOSERVER); e) additional data sets from the European Digital Upper Atmosphere Server (DIAS) integrated in an interfa ce with the HELIOSERVER and with improved models and techniques for the real-time quantification of the effects of solar eruptive events in the ionosphere. Science cases that demonstrate the expanded capabilities of the facility are also presented.