First results from ITU-Dynasonde, Istanbul, Turkey on the ionospheric characteristics

Abstract

Observations of the ionosphere over Istanbul, Turkey have been made using an ionosonde installed at the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Maslak campus. In this paper, we present average diurnal, monthly, seasonal, and noon-midnight statistics of key F2 layer parameters observed over a one-year period. Those parameters are the F2 layer critical frequency (foF2), its peak height (hmF2), and the estimated total electron content (TEC). The data show that the overall average behavior at Istanbul is consistent with the findings of other studies of the mid-latitude ionosphere. Also presented are the results of a close look at the diurnal variations of F2 layer. Categorizing these variations provides suggestions about the possible causes or drivers that affect the Eurasian ionosphere.