Monitoring Climate Changes in the Antarctic Region with Navigation Satellite Systems

by Behlül Kula | Nov 26, 2021

In recent years, advanced remote sensing technologies based on space geodetic techniques has become an effective supporting tool for monitoring global climate change by important parameters such as atmospheric water vapor, sea, ice and snow levels. In this context, GNSS Meteorology and GNSS Reflectometry techniques evolved based on satellite navigation signals are widely used for monitoring the Earth's surface and atmosphere characteristics. The main purpose of the project is observing meteorological and physical parameters such as water vapor in the atmosphere and ice/sea level changes in the Horseshoe Island, Antarctica to contribute climate change monitoring.

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Project Title: Monitoring the troposphere and Snow Depth/Thickness in Antarctic Region based on GNSS meteorology and GNSS-Reflectometry Methods
Project Number: TUBİTAK-118Y322
Project Coordinator: Assist. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Oğuz Selbesoğlu

Abstract: In recent years, advanced remote sensing technologies based on space geodetic techniques has become an effective supporting tool for monitoring global climate change by important parameters such as atmospheric water vapor, sea, ice and snow levels. In this context, GNSS Meteorology and GNSS Reflectometry techniques evolved based on satellite navigation signals are widely used for monitoring the Earth's surface and atmosphere characteristics. The main purpose of the project is observing meteorological and physical parameters such as water vapor in the atmosphere and ice/sea level changes in the Horseshoe Island, Antarctica to contribute climate change monitoring. For this purpose, within the scope of Turkey's 4th National Antarctic Science Expedition (TAE-4), Turkey's Antarctic permanent GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) stations (TUR1 & TUR2) were installed on Horseshoe Island. TUR1 and TUR2 GNSS stations, installed within the scope of TUBITAK Project No. 118Y322, have been continuously collecting data from GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO and BEIDOU Satellite Systems since February 24, 2020. The expected results will be an important source of data for understanding and predicting local and global change, as well as contributing to understanding climate change and its evolution over time.

İTÜ Faculty of Civil Engineering

It can be accepted that the history of ITU Civil Engineering Faculty was commenced in 1727 by the establishment of Humbarahane during the era of Damat İbrahim Paşa. However, this attempt was to no avail due to the martyrization of the studwents of this school by the Janissaries.

In 1734, during the grand viziership of Topal Osman Paşa, classes related to Civil Engineering was being taught in Hendesehane, which was founded in Üsküdar. Similarly, this school was also closed after three years due to the opposition of the Janissaries. The reasons of the tragedy that occured in Battle of Chesma, 1770 were inadequacy of the ships and the ignorance of the Ottoman Navy.

Although the Atlantic Map (1513) and the Map of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea (1523) by Piri Reis were the leading pieces of the era, Ottoman viziers were so ignorant that they claimed it was impossible for the Russian Baltic Fleet to reach the Mediterranean Sea assuming that there were no sea connection. With the proposal from Gazi Hasan Paşa and Baron de Tott, Mühendishane-i Bahri-i Humayun was established during the time of Sultan Mustafa III, aiming to train naval construction engineers. Since Ottoman Empire did not have any engineering schools at the time, military engineering classes were taught by French engineers beginning from 1784. French lecturers had to return to their country in 1788 with the increasing suppression from Austria and Russia, which were unwilling for the development and thriving of Ottoman Empire. In 1759, during the Grand Viziership of Koca Ragıp Paşa, Humbarahane was reopened in Karaağaç, Haliç (Golden Horn) and continued to teach even though it was incompetent. In 1792, Lağımcı Ocağı and Humbaracı Ocağı (Guild of Sappers) were established.