Work in progress
TWO BALLOONS TERMINATED FLIGHT
CREAM and ATIC experiments terminated their flights (Jan. 16th and Jan. 15th). BESS is still circumnavigating Antarctica. In the photo: the ATIC experiment descending with parachute deployed. The large, unmanned, high altitude balloons were launched in december 2007 from a location close to McMurdo, by NASA (Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility - CSBF) and NSF.
CREAM: 28 DAYS INTO THE AIRS
The CREAM experiment almost completed the second circumnavigation around Antarctica. 28 days 18 hrs 36 mins 27.716 sec since launch. January 16th, 2008.
SOUTH POLE TRAVERSE
The 2007-2008 South Pole Traverse arrived at 90° South. Photo taken January 8th, 2008. Forest Banks/National Science Foundation.
CHASSE A LA BALEINE DANS L'OCEAN AUSTRAL: GREENPEACE REPOUSSE LES BALENIERS JAPONAIS
AFP-Un navire de Greenpeace a réussi à repousser une flotte de baleiniers japonais de leur lieu de chasse dans l'océan Antarctique, a annoncé dimanche l'organisation de défense de l'environnement à Sydney.Greenpeace a indiqué que son navire Esperanza avait pourchassé le principal bâtiment japonais, le Nisshin Maru, pendant 24 heures et sur plusieurs centaines de kilomètres avant que celui-ci ne quitte la zone dans laquelle il participait au massacre d'un millier de baleines."Nous sommes venus ici pour empêcher la flotte de capturer des baleines et nous l'avons fait. A présent ils se trouvent en dehors du lieu de chasse et ils devraient y rester", a déclaré dans un communiqué un membre de Greenpeace pour le Japon, Sakyo Noda.L'organisation Greenpeace a indiqué qu'elle s'attendait à ce que les bateaux japonais reviennent dans la zone de capture.Greenpeace et d'autres mouvements de défense de l'environnement tentent d'écarter la flotte japonaise des eaux de l'Antarctique afin d'empêcher un massacre de baleines.Tokyo contourne chaque année le moratoire international en vigueur depuis 1986 en pêchant un millier de baleines, à des fins prétendument "scientifiques". Depêche et photo: AFP-Sydney.
NEWZEALAND SCOTT BASE WEBCAM
The images are sent from video cameras situated at Scott Base. The first camera is located in the Hillary Field Centre briefing room, and is currently looking towards the flag pole which is at half mast for the death of Sir Edmund Hillary. The second camera is at the Arrival Heights Research Laboratory. Scott Base photo: Lucia SIMION, November 2007.
SOUTH POLE STATION WEBCAM
Open a window on the South Pole Station, right in the Heart of the Antarctic. PH. Robert Schwartz/National Science Foundation, USAP Photo Library.
SECOND SUCCESSFUL LANDING AT WILKINS
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION WEBSITE: 11 January 2008. Environment Minister Peter Garrett has arrived back in Hobart from Antarctica following the first official flight carrying scientists south. Mr Garrett was aboard the Airbus A319 which left Hobart last night after a day when the temperature soared above 30 degrees and, four-and-a-half hours later, set foot on Wilkins Runway in minus 17 degrees. Mr Garrett was accompanied on the flight by the Australian Antarctic Division's Director, Dr Tony Press, Chief Scientist, Dr Michael Stoddart, and a number of senior research scientists. The Airbus A319 has undergone a number of proving and training flights to Antarctica since November in the lead-up to today's historic flight. Australian aviation company, Skytraders, operates the aircraft on behalf of the Australian Antarctic Division. PHOTO: Torsten Blackwood/AFP
THE STORY OF THE GHOST PLANE OVER THE POLE
On December 8th, 2007, a "ghost plane" flew over the SP (photo by JILL FOX, enhanced by Glenn Grant). It was a Quantas Airbus A380, flying from Australia to Argentina. They passed over Tasmania, Antarctica, the South Pole station, then landed in Buenos Aires. In 2006 an Airbus A380 already passed over the Pole.
LD BALLOONS
RELOCATION IN ANTARCTICA
Personnel at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station move the Pole marker and sign during the annual January 1 ritual. The station sits on a glacier which moves about 10 meters (33 feet) per year, so every January 1 a brass marker designating exactly 90 degrees South is placed in the new location and the sign is moved. Photograph by: Glenn Grant/NSF-Taken January 1,2008.
CARNET DE VOYAGE PHILATELIQUE
TRAVEL TO THE ICE WITH A CLICK
FROM THE BRITISH ANTARCTIC WEBSITE: Discovering Antarctica was developed jointly by the British Antarctic Survey, Royal Geographical Society and Foreign and Commonwealth Office to enthuse young people in Antarctic research and to give teachers access to an authoritative resource from the UK’s national Antarctic operator. It was funded by FCO’s Polar Regions Unit.
BYRD IN CHRISTCHURCH
A bust of Richard E. Byrd is held at the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch.
OZONE HOLE, OCTOBER 6-2007
SELF PORTRAIT AT COULMAN ISLAND
Emperor penguin chicks are born in July and August, during the polar night. At the age of 45-50 days they form small groups known as "crèches"; they leave the colony at the end of December. Younger chicks are abandoned alone on the pack ice. This individual drew my attention; it kept whistling gently, but incessantly, as if I was a fortser parent. Coulman island colony, Ross Sea.
L'ANTARTIDE E' A GENOVA
