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.