Ionospheric vertical sounding

Ionospheric observations, using radio techniques, are an important part of the aeronomic studies that may be carried out in polar zones where the peculiarity of the physical phenomena, due to the solar terrestrial interactions with the magnetic field and with the upper atmosphere, are particularly interesting for research studies and space weather applications. The ionospheric vertical sounding is performed with a ionosonde installed at Terra Nova Bay (74 degrees 42' S, 164 degrees 6' E) since 1990.

This sounding is used for systematic measurements of electron density of the ionospheric layers D,E,F, by using HF radio investigation. In the austral summer the stations operate under human control, during the austral winter sounding and acquisition are automatic.