Satellite-Radio Astronomy Station Teams (HORIZON)

TEAM HORIZON

Teams Main Page HORIZON Articles Join Team HORIZON Contact

Team Name

  • Satellite and Radio Astronomy Station Teams (HORIZON)

Team Advisor

  • Prof.Dr. Selim Osman Selam (Faculty of Science, Department of Astronomy and Space Sciences, General Astronomy Division)

Research Station

HORIZON General Coordination Manager

HORIZON HAM Radio Support Operator

HORIZON Teams

HORIZON is comprised of diverse working groups, each dedicated to conducting research and development within their specialized domains. The organizational structure of these teams is outlined below.

General Working Team-1 (ANTERAS)

  1. Ebru Tulu (Leader, Turkish Aeronautical Association University, Astronautical Engineering)
  2. Berfu Bahar (Atılım University, Aerospace Engineering)
  3. Gözde Aycan (Turkish Aeronautical Association University, Astronautical Engineering)
  4. Yağmur Arzum Kaya (Turkish Aeronautical Association University, Astronautical Engineering)

General Working Team-2 (VORTEX)

  1. Emira Nur Arslan (Leader, Middle East Technical University, Physics)
  2. Batuhan Özyürek (Gazi University, Electronic Engineering)
  3. Nisa Nur Yener (Gazi University, Photonic)
  4. Fatima Hanafi Mohamed (Turkish Aeronautical Association University, Astronautical Engineering)

Training and Presentation Team (EDU)

The EDU team was established with the purpose of planning, coordinating, and organizing presentations, events, and activities related to the HORIZON project.

The team is also responsible for arranging station visits, coordinating with other teams, and assisting in the preparation of training presentations and documents for teams.

Additionally, the EDU team is tasked with developing educational materials for K-12 schools.

  1. Barış Çınar (Leader, Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  2. Seher Lal (Astronomer)
  3. Salih Orak (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  4. Sıla Ülkü Keskinkılıç (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  5. Talha Kaya (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)

Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) Team (ECHO)

ECHO aims to support lunar research and to develop expertise in Earth-Moon-Earth signal propagation studies.

The team aims to monitor communications conducted at various frequencies and digital modes, and to develop directional antenna systems, low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), and filter structures to improve these systems in the future.

Additionally, ECHO seeks to create Turkish resources and support related efforts in Türkiye.

  1. Sevgi Kaya (Leader, Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  2. Ebru Tulu (Turkish Aeronautical Association University, Astronautical Engineering)
  3. Sıla Ülkü Keskinkılıç (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  4. Yağmur Arzum Kaya (Turkish Aeronautical Association University, Astronautical Engineering)

Galaxy Optic & Radio Observation Team (MAGELLAN)

The MAGELLAN team was established to study galaxies, the fundamental building blocks of the universe, using both visible light (optical) and radio wave observations. The team will employ optical and radio telescope systems to investigate the formation, evolution, structure, and physical processes within galaxies.

By conducting in-depth analyses of observational data, they aim to gain significant insights into various cosmic phenomena, including the activities of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, star-forming regions, galaxy collisions, and the expansion of the universe.

This research will contribute to a better understanding of the universe’s history and future, enabling the testing of cosmological models.

The MAGELLAN team is committed to both theoretical studies and observational research, striving to make substantial contributions to unraveling the mysteries of galaxies.

  1. Azra Nur Apan (Leader, Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  2. Anıl Karamanlıoğlu (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  3. Ayşenur Aydın (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  4. Bilal Civelek (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  5. Cansu Aslantürk (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  6. Furkan Şen (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  7. Gülben Şancı (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  8. Mehmet Emin Karaca (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  9. Meltemnur Ayaşlı (Astronomer, Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  10. Salih Orak (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  11. Sevgi Kaya (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  12. Vildan Yaren Altuner (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  13. Zeynep Sarıçamlık (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)

Jupiter Optic/Radio Observation  Team (JUPIO)

JUPIO was established with the aim of observing natural radio emissions from Jupiter in our solar system, analyzing the activities of the moon Io and its effects on these natural radio emissions, using analysis and prediction software, and comparing them with optical observation data.

JUPIO is Türkiye’s first Jupiter radio observation team in its field.

  1. Vildan Yaren Altuner (Leader, Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  2. Azra Nur Apan (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  3. Sevgi Kaya (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)

Cosmic and Solar Radiation Radio Observation Team (COSMIC)

The COSMIC team is dedicated to exploring the universe by detecting high-energy particles, known as cosmic rays, originating from various celestial sources. Their research encompasses studying the energy spectra, chemical composition, and arrival directions of these cosmic rays, as well as investigating their interactions with Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field. Furthermore, the team delves into solar phenomena, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, and the radiation they produce (X-rays, radio waves, etc.).

They also conduct research on the structure and characteristics of the solar wind and examine the impacts of solar activities on Earth’s communication systems, power grids, and satellite systems.

Additionally, the team focuses on understanding how solar activities and cosmic rays influence Earth’s space environment and develops space weather prediction models to support satellite missions and space operations.

  1. Ayşenur Aydın (Leader, Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  2. Anıl Karamanlıoğlu (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  3. Azra Nur Apan (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  4. Bilal Civelek (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  5. Gülben Şancı (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  6. Mehmet Emin Karaca (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  7. Salih Orak (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  8. Vildan Yaren Altuner (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  9. Zeynep Sarıçamlık (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)

Meteor Radio Observation (MeteorScatter) Team (LEONID)

The LEONID team was established to study meteors and the upper layers of the atmosphere by observing meteor showers using radio waves.

By exploiting the property of ionized particles, formed when meteors vaporize upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, to reflect radio waves, the team aims to determine parameters such as the speed, orbit, size, and chemical composition of meteors.

Through this research, they seek to gain significant insights into various scientific questions, including the origin of meteors, the formation and evolution of the Solar System, climate change, and the physical processes occurring in the upper layers of the atmosphere.

Additionally, the LEONID team is investigating the potential of using the meteor scatter phenomenon for long-range radio communication. This research could contribute to the development of alternative communication methods in case of natural disasters or other emergencies.

  1. Mehmet Emin Karaca (Leader, Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  2. Ayşenur Aydın (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  3. Bilal Civelek (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  4. Gülben Şancı (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  5. Özgür Çimen (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)

Pulsar Radio Observation Team (VELA)

The VELA Team was established with the goal of becoming internationally recognized for its pulsar observations, pioneering new scientific discoveries using pulsar signals, inspiring young generations in astronomy and space sciences, conducting pulsar observations and analyzing the obtained data, gaining new insights into the physical properties of pulsars and the structure of the universe, developing new techniques in the field of pulsar observations, providing education to volunteer students and researchers, conducting research in pulsar search and characterization, pulsar timing and pulsar navigation, and multi-messenger astronomy using pulsar signals, and keeping up with new software and algorithms for pulsar observations.

VELA is Türkiye’s first Pulsar  radio observation team in its field.

  1. Anıl Karamanlıoğlu (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  2. Azra Nur Apan (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  3. Furkan Şen (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  4. Gülben Şancı (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  5. Meltemnur Ayaşlı (Astronomer, Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  6. Salih Orak (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  7. Sevgi Kaya (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  8. Vildan Yaren Altuner (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)

Amateur Satellite Tracking and Communication Team (ORBIT)

The ORBIT team was established to monitor communications with amateur satellites in LEO and GEO orbits, as well as with the ISS. The team also conducts communication studies using satellites equipped with relay systems, decodes telemetry data from satellites, and conducts research to develop satellite ground stations.

  1. Özgür Çimen (Leader, Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  2. Ebru Tulu (Turkish Aeronautical Association University, Astronautical Engineering)
  3. Tuğçe Can (TA3TGC, Manager)
  4. Vildan Yaren Altuner (Ankara University, Astronomy and Space Sciences)
  5. Yağmur Arzum Kaya (Turkish Aeronautical Association University, Astronautical Engineering)

About the HORIZON Team

HORIZON is a research team that observes the sky using both optical and radio telescopes at the Kreiken Observatory in Ankara. The team conducts research in various fields, including tracking and monitoring amateur satellites in LEO and GEO orbits, amateur satellite communication, and radio astronomy.

HORIZON’s Mission

  • To develop innovative techniques for tracking and monitoring amateur satellites,
  • To promote information exchange and collaboration through amateur satellite communication,
  • To contribute to solving the mysteries of the universe through radio astronomy research,
  • To involve young people in radio astronomy research,
  • To support K12 Education studies.

HORIZON’s Research Areas

  • Amateur Satellite Tracking and Monitoring: The team uses software and hardware to track and monitor amateur satellites in LEO and GEO orbits. This work makes it possible to accurately determine the orbits of satellites and communicate with them,
  • Amateur Satellite Communication: The HORIZON team promotes the exchange of information and data through amateur satellite communication. The team has established its own amateur satellite station for this purpose and is connected to other amateur satellite stations,
  • Radio Astronomy: The team uses radio telescopes to study the universe through radio waves. This work allows us to learn about topics such as the formation of galaxies and the evolution of the universe.

Importance of HORIZON

The work of the HORIZON team is making a significant contribution to the development of space research in Türkiye. The techniques developed by the team and the research it conducts are attracting great attention both nationally and internationally. HORIZON also carries out public awareness activities in fields such as amateur satellite communication and radio astronomy.

About HORIZON Station

moep observation

Visiting and Ethics Rules Make a Visit Appointment Contact Articles

Hello Space, Mars on Earth Project (MoEP), A.Tahir Dengiz, TA2T (SK) Satellite Observation and Radio Astronomy Station Mars 06-1, located at Ankara University, Kreiken Observatory, our remote observation and research station; It was established in January 2023 to support the education of university students, especially radio astronomy and amateur satellite communication studies. It is the first remote station of the Mars on Earth Project (MoEP) on Earth in Ankara.

moep kreiken

The station, whose design and communication systems were installed by MoEP, has all kinds of amateur satellite communication monitoring, tracking, communication systems and radio astronomy equipment within the container structure. The station can be controlled remotely when necessary and different observation equipment can be used.

(*) The environment and no living beings were harmed during the installation of this station.

HORIZON Station Identification

  • Station Name: Hello Space, Mars on Earth Project (MoEP), A.Tahir Dengiz, TA2T (SK) Satellite Observation and Radio Astronomy Station (MARS 06-1)
  • Country/City: Türkiye, Ankara, Ahlatlıbel
  • Locator : KM69JU
  • Special Callsign:
  • Station Type: R&D Station
  • QRZ.com Page:
  • Address: İncek Bulvarı, 06837 Ahlatlıbel, Çankaya/ Ankara

HORIZON Station Hardware

  • 2 X 65″ LED TV
  • Computers
  • Fiberoptic Network Structure
  • SatNOGS Amateur Satellite Tracking System
  • Yaesu FT-857 HAM Radio

HORIZON Antenna Hardware

  • HF Antenna,
  • VHF/UHF antenna,
  • APRS and TinyGS antennas,
  • SatNOGS rotor satellite tracking antenna
  • 3m. Dish type, satellite communication antenna
  • 5m. Dish type, radioastronomy observation antenna

HORIZON Other Hardware

  • TAHIR-NET 2.4 and 5.8GHz Emergency Communication Network
  • Hardware Hikvision security and surveillance camera system with high resolution fixed and PTZ equipment

HORIZON Station Location

Country Coordinators University Coordinators Teams Contact

1.627