Turkish Scientists Follow Piri Reis’ Footsteps in Antarctica
Turkish scientists from the General Directorate of Maps under the Ministry of National Defense and the Turkish Naval Forces Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography Department have participated in the 7th National Antarctic Science Expedition. The expedition was carried out under the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and under the coordination of the TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute. The participants generated measurements to determine the coordinates from the sea and land on the continent. They also made geodynamic measurements on Horseshoe Island, bathymetric measurements in the Gulf of Lystad, and operated a Global Positioning Satellite Systems (GNSS) station on Dismal Island.
The Turkish scientists have been conducting scientific studies in the region since 1967. Their work continues in the footsteps of Piri Reis, who drew the southernmost regions of the South American continent and created the closest lands belonging to Antarctica on the world map dated 1513.
During the expedition, Engineer First Lieutenant Faruk Yalçın from the General Directorate of Mapping carried out static GNSS observations at geodynamic points. Data from fixed GNSS stations were combined with the GNSS observation data made at geodynamic points. According to Yalçın, this data analysis can provide information about the annual geodynamic activity of the region in millimeters, which is significant in contributing to the Antarctic earth sciences literature.
First Lieutenant Deniz Çiçek from the Department of Navigation, Hydrography, and Oceanography of the Turkish Naval Forces, collected necessary data for mapping the Gulf of Lystad working 12-13 hours a day on Horseshoe Island during the expedition. Çiçek and his team collected coastline data by walking 4-5 kilometers with centimeter precision. The collected data was used to create a navigation map that can be used all over the world, and will be particularly useful for floating and diving elements.
The Turkish scientists are proud to contribute to their country’s scientific and research efforts in Antarctica, and to follow in the footsteps of historical figures like Piri Reis.
