Hello!
Here's the news for today from Antarctica:
1. The McMurdo
Alternative Art Gallery
2. Sunday Science Lecture
3. Record numbers of folks in Antarctic for the USAP
4. Work, work, work...
5. Seals!!
6. Flying to Marilyn AWS Site Wednesday...
1. The McMurdo Alternative Art Gallery
Each year, the station
personnel host an Alternative Art show on station. It is an unusual event
indeed... something you see in New York or San Fransico perhaps. Lots
of abstract art (using leftover scraps from
around the station/waste management), and even a fashion show! It was
different.
2. Sunday Science Lecture
I hope everyone got my note on the PBS Nature Special on Antarctica Under the Ice. If you get/got to see it, it will give you a nice view of what the trip down is like, and the nifty diving operations that go on here. We got to be the first to see it last night.
3. Record numbers of folks in Antarctic for the USAP
There are record numbers of folks deployed to the Antarctic for the US Antarctic Program (USAP) this year...there is over 220 at South Pole, another 100 plus in the deep field (camping out around Antarctica), and far more than a 1000 here at McMurdo. Not to forget Palmer Station on the Peninsula. Safe to say, it is crowded here and everywhere. Lots of folks working on all sorts of things, science, support, rebuilding South Pole and more.
4. Work, work,
work...
I'm finding myself ever busier with my work. I'm trying to work on a few
specific items. The first collecting samples of fog. It seems like a funny
thing to collect here, but I'm hoping it will help me understand more
about fog and especially detecting it via satellite. I'm also upgrading
our computer weather processing system, and adding capabilities...and
backup ones too. So much to do.
5. Seals!!
I have spotted them...Seals! They are having little pups too - just out where the icebreaker was, and by some pressure ridges (cracks) in the ice near Scott Base. They are a bit far away to get a close picture, but they are there indeed.
Picture courtesy of Raytheon Polar
Services Company's Antarctic
Photo Library
6. Flying to Marilyn AWS Site Wednesday...
Breaking news. I'll likely fly to Marilyn AWS Site on our Wednesday this
week if all is well with weather and other work here. I will go with my
co-workers George and Jonathan on a Twin Otter plane, equipped with skis.
Check out weather at Marilyn site at:
http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/~amrc/8934.GIF (click on pic below)
http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/~amrc/8934.txt
That's the news for today.
Cheers,
Matthew