DECEMBER 27, 1997 Every Two Weeks Published during the austral summer for the United States Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Antarctic Discovery! Bi-PolarConnections: Of Barbs and Antifreeze by Alexander Colhoun Linking the Arctic and Antarctic fireproof vault deep in the heart story and photo by Alexander Colhoun Aof the Smithsonian Museum lined with darkened rows of alcohol-filled jars erfect circles scribed at 66 degrees 33 in the Antarctic; the boundary of various holds the biological encyclopedia of the Pminutes on both ends of the earth treaties Ða political 60û in the Antarctic; or planet. Inside each jar is a holotype: the demark the Arctic and Antarctic circles. There, even by the temperature of the waterÐ the first captured and identified example of the earth tilts just enough to allow at least one Summer Isotherm circumscribes the Antarctic thousands of marine species known to full day a year without a sun set. at 50û. inhabit the seas of this planet. A map offers a different tale. Viewed from While definitions may be vague, one thing A catalogue of life, the shelves sel- above, each region might be defined by the about the polar caps is certain: half of each dom get new additions from the sub-zero limit of ice pack Ðswimming lazily above and year is dark and half of each year is light, and waters of the Antarctic. below 66û; the northern limit of the tree lineÐ that alone draws Todd Franson, a long-time In July, however, the Smithsonian got rising above 64û in the Arctic, but non-existent Antarctic Support Associates employee, to a new Antarctic specimen Ðthe barbled spend his days on the caps of plunder fish or Pogonophryne cerebro- the earth. ÒI havenÕt seen a lot pogon, a discovery made by ice veteran Seasons Greetings of darkness in the last ten Joe Eastman. from Antarctica years,Ó said Franson. ÒI like the daylight.Ó ...cont. on page 5 That may be the greatest understatement of polar living. Franson, like some 30 ASA INSIDE employees, alternates his home between the Arctic and NSTW 1998 National Science And Antarctic, passing the summer Technology Week highlights Arctic and in each location. Antarctic research carried out by the With the exception of days National Science Foundation. traveling between the two, Landing In A Milk Bottle Landing Franson spends most of his life under a shining sun, even when in a complete whiteout is like landing he sleeps. ÒI sleep with the in a bottle of milk Ðyou only know blinds open, the light on my youÕve landed when the wheels touch face,Ó says Franson. ÒIt just down. doesnÕt bother me.Ó Wasting Away in Antarctica The U.S. Franson came to the Antarctic Program retrogrades almost Antarctic from Denali National all of its waste to the continental Park in Alaska. In time the United States. The exception to this is, word has spread, and today a by necessity, waste water. flock of Denali seasonal work- ers have followed in his foot- Perspective Steve Munsell returns to steps. ÒWe used to call him the Antarctica after a sixteen-year absence Toddfather,Ó said Kathy Soutter. and reflects on the changes he sees in ÒAnd the rest of us were the the program. Denali mob.Ó Some come for employ- Profile Breaking barriers was never his ment, others for an adventure intention, but with Ed BurnetteÕs drive Despite being eleven thousand miles from their own kitchens in Denver, bigger than Alaska, but for Dr. and curiosity, it was inevitable. Colorado, Nancy Farrell, left, and her friend, Ellen Copeland, would not be deterred from making Christmas cookies. ...cont. on page 13 2 December 27, 1997 The Antarctic Sun program produced by the National Science Foundation and supported by its corporate sponsors. Its mis- sion is to engage the American public in the spirit of learning and Polar adventure that is the hallmark of science and engineering. NSTW pursues its mission through a wide variety of initia- Theme tives. The most popular is a packet of teaching activities (published in both English and Spanish) in sci- for ence, mathematics, and technolo- gy, designed to inspire the imagi- National Science nations of students, teachers, and parents. & Technology Week This year, the Polar Connections activity packet has story by Pat Olmert many educational activities rang- NSF, Office of Legislative and Public Affairs ing from Polar Opposites: Getting to Know the Arctic and the Antarctic to Polar Protection: How can two of the most isolated, forbid- How Do Polar Animals Survive in Such a ding places on Earth also be among its most Climate? School children can investigate What valuable sites for scientific research? Why do Color Is a Polar Bear? construct protective Participants are Ambassadors people the world over find the Arctic, with its sunglasses Ðfirst developed by Arctic Inuit to the U.S. Antarctic Program polar bears, and the Antarctic, with its pen- natives. Educators will find that the activities include everything from simulated research by Beth Gaston, guins, so endlessly fascinating? Yet when NSF, Office of Legislative and Public Affairs asked, ÔWhy is it polar bears donÕt eat pen- voyages to one-page kitchen-counter experi- ments. guins?Õ oftentimes the general public is ife in Antarctica is interesting and NSTW is also an opportunity for getting stumped. unique, providing us with opportuni- involved at the local level. ÒArctic and L Well here comes an opportunity to interact ties many people will never have. Because of Antarctic researchers along with many other with the public on polar subjects on a large this intrigue, the general public and news program participants in extreme weather scale. reporters are often interested in many aspects regions have an opportunity to share their Polar Connections: Exploring the of life, death, love and work on the ice. experiences and knowledge of a variety of WorldÕs Natural Laboratories is the theme The National Science Foundation (NSF) subjects with public audiences,Ó says Mary of the National Science FoundationÕs 1998 believes this publicity is a good thing. We are Bullock, NSFÕs Office of Legislative and National Science & Technology Week (NSTW, a taxpayer supported agency. Our bosses, Public Affairs. NSTW 1998 and Polar April 26th to May 2nd). The week will focus members of the public, deserve to know how Connections provides an opportunity for on Polar research and education, alerting the we are spending their money. And, in tough orchestrating local activities for public public to the excitement and adventure of sci- budget times such as these, well-known agen- involvement such as open houses; hands-on ence and engineering in both Arctic and cies generally fare better than those that are science and technology demonstrations; lec- Antarctic regions. Polar Connections will obscure. tures at libraries, museums, colleges, and uni- invite people of all ages to explore the worldÕs versities; or visits to elementary and secondary Antarctic Support Associates (ASA) also natural laboratories of science and technology classrooms by knowledgeable travelers to the supports this publicity. ÒOur aim is to create through events and activities designed for this ice. public awareness of the United States yearÕs outreach. Antarctic Program,Ó said Valerie Carroll, who ÒAt NSF, we believe it is important to nur- In its 14th year, National Science & manages public affairs for ASA. ÒASA ture the natural interests of children and the Technology Week is a major public outreach employees are always encouraged to interact child in all of us about the wonders of science with the public and the media. WeÕre lucky to S ANTARCT TE IC A P The Antarctic Sun, part of the United ST R and technology,Ó says Bullock. O D G E R T I A have such an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and N M States Antarctic Program, is funded by U ★ ★ To learn more about National Science & ★ ★ the National Science Foundation. ★ ★ responsible crew. We provide materials, fact- ★ ★ ★ ★ Opinions and conclusions expressed in Technology Week 1998: N A N checking, support and guidance for them as T O I IO T The Sun are not necessarily those of the N A A D L S UN ¥ Write: NSF Staff at NSTW, National CIENCE FO Foundation. they deal with the public and the media.Ó Science Foundation, Office of Legislative and Use: Reproduction and distribution is encouraged with Many of you are excited about being here, acknowledgement of source and author. Public Affairs, Rm. 1245, 4201 Wilson Blvd., what you do and what the program is all Editor: Alexander Colhoun Arlington, Virginia, 22230 or e-mail at about. There are many opportunities to share Publisher: Valerie Carroll, ASA [email protected]. Contributions are welcome. Contact The Sun at your experiences: talking to church or com- [email protected]. In McMurdo, visit our office in ¥ Check us out on the World Wide Web at: munity groups, visiting classrooms or retire- Building 155 or dial 2407. http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/nstw/start.htm. ✹ Web address: http://www.asa.org ...cont. on page 7 The Antarctic Sun December 27, 1997 3 riving toward Scott Base at 3:15am, DBill McCormick immediately noticed the sharp contrast of a heavy fog bank curled around Williams Field to the clear, bright sky Landing in a over McMurdo Station. He had been paged by search and rescue team (SAR) leader Steve Dunbar in response to a field mission. Milk Bottle Two LC-130s had been forced to land in story by Susie Brown the Whiteout Area, a crevasse-free landing field on the permanent ice shelf. Fog had vehicle is built to go practically anywhere, and Looking for the aircraft in such thick fog deterred them from landing on the plotted run- this one was equipped with technologically- was like searching for a needle in a haystack.