Among the projects that TÜBİTAK wanted to support under its “KUTUP-1001” tender is the “Very Low Frequency (VLF) Near Space Observations” study.
Scientist Prof. Dr. Umran Savaş İnan explained the details of the project they carried out at Koç University.
İnan explained that the concept of “near space” is of great importance in space physics and that this region covers the “ionosphere” and “magnetosphere” layers that follow the atmosphere.
İnan pointed out that the satellites around the Earth are in near space and drew attention to the physical events taking place there.
Emphasizing that the importance of near space has increased recently, İnan said: “In recent years, Elon Musk has built the STARLINK system, which consists of about 4,000 satellites. In total, there are thousands of satellites in near space around the world. which form the infrastructure of countries' technological and defense systems. Electronic devices on these satellites are constantly exposed to radiation. and their lifespan becomes shorter,” said.
Near space exploration in Antarctica
Pointing out that lightning strikes are particularly severe on the Atlantic coast of North America, İnan said:
“The number of lightning strikes per second on Earth is 40-50. The energy that emanates from them, that is, the electromagnetic field, follows the Earth's magnetic fields, travels thousands of kilometers and returns to Antarctica, where it can be recorded. Therefore, the signal generated by the electromagnetic field It carries the characteristics of the places it passes through. While sitting in Antarctica, you can set up an electromagnetic antenna and monitor this signal and its characteristics with an appropriately designed receiver. While I was at Stanford University, we collected data for 30 years at Palmer Station on the US Antarctic Peninsula. However, the data comes from a single source. While we can measure the temporal variability of electromagnetic events, we cannot capture their spatial variability. However, we can measure the signals produced by the same lightning bolt at the Turkish Antarctic Research Camp (TARC), located about 370 kilometers from Palmer Station , we can monitor the spatial distribution of these formations in near space. “
“We have made detailed plans for next year”
Stating that all of these studies were costly and took a lot of time to develop, İnan stated that they also considered solar-powered, battery-powered systems without generators.
İnan informed him that they worked with his former graduate student, a professor at the University of Georgia, to Turkey's Antarctic camp to send an observation device and an academic to use it, explaining that the first observations were quite successful .
Stating that they are making detailed plans for next year, İnan said:
“The purpose of these observations is to understand the properties of the signals produced by lightning strikes in the Northern Hemisphere that travel into space, return to Earth after their journey through space, and carry the properties of the locations to which they contribute have traveled here for the measurement. These electromagnetic fields and radiation belts determine the lifespan of satellites. What determines the radiation intensity of this lifetime? Radiation levels increase when solar flares occur. However, we can help extend the time the satellite stays in space. For example, we can position satellites in certain locations where less radiation passes through or the satellite can be provided with radiation shields. This extends the lifespan of the satellites. Satellite studies are already quite expensive. Our studies allow us to investigate the physical interactions in near space. “By understanding them better.” “We can contribute to more efficient design of satellites around the world and reduce the sector’s pressure on countries’ economies.”
Stating that Turkey's Antarctic camp lasted 30 days, İnan said, “Our state has plans to transform the Antarctic camp into a station that can work for 365 days in the coming years. According to the Antarctic Treaty, the existence of states here is only conditional.” “It's important. The publications that may come out with Turkey's Antarctic observations are based on my work at Stanford and the work of my former students now scientists, may be published in the best journals, and will increase the visibility of Turkey's Antarctic camp and the level of scientific achievement .”
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