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TREC Virtual Base Camp _ Teacher's Journal _ Sometimes Penguins Have Somewhere Important to Go

Posted by: Dena_Rosenberger Dec 11 2005, 09:32 AM

Sometimes Penguins Have Somewhere Important to Go
11 December, 2005

For those interested in things Antarctic, check out the weekly Antarctic newspaper at http://AntarcticSun.usap.gov

Hello from the Ice!
For additional Antarctic pics, check out the Gallery.

Where’s Rosenberger?
Pony Lake, Ross Island, Antarctica

Today we continued our work in the lab with analysis of Pony Lake water.

Earlier in the week, I went to a Science Lecture by the foremost researcher on Adelie penguins, David Ainley, who is also working at Pony Lake. In his talk, he linked penguin migration and population changes with ice coverage. Worldwide warming is apparently being felt by penguins, including Adelies and Emperors, in the northernmost part of Antarctica near the Antarctic Peninsula where ice shelves have been melting.

IPB Image

At Pony Lake, I was able to shoot some video of the Adelie penguins and send a QuickTime video clip to the wonderfully helpful people at ARCUS (Arctic Research Consortium of the United States), my website host. Check out this link to view some nesting Adelies, and one little penguin that looks like it has somewhere important to go:

http://archive.arcus.org/TREC/downloads/NestingPenguins.mov

Did you know?
The Antarctic Peninsula (which looks like the “tail” of Antarctica) has hundreds of offshore islands, making it one of Antarctica’s richest breeding grounds for seabirds, seals, and penguins. During the 19th century, it was explored extensively, primarily by sealers from Britain and the U.S. (Source: Lonely Planet – Antarctica)

Current Conditions at McMurdo Station
Clear skies above with ground fog forming on the sea ice

Right now:
Winds from the northeast at 5-15 knots
Pressure: 29.460 inHg
Temperature: 28 oF/-2 oC with wind chill 12 F/ -11 C
Sunset: February 20 at 1:38 am

Posted by: Crystal Dec 11 2005, 03:02 PM

Rosen,
You are my hero! Seriously, I think you are my idol! I hope that when I am in the midst of my career I will be able to someday pick up and explore the world like you. Not only that, but you are running experiments on the environment; you're too awesome for words.

Plus, your name brings up like 20 sites on google and they are all you! That was kinda why I decided you are my idol... mine just gets an error. Haha j/k. I love you Rosen! Have fun, and come home soon!

You can open our gift soon... that is if you havent already cheated and opened it.

Hope your astonishing capabilities are shinning through in everything you are doing there, and that you are having a wonderful time!

With Love,
Crystal

That penguin pic rocks! I've never learned so much about penguins before! Thanks for the insight.

Posted by: Guest Dec 11 2005, 05:32 PM

Hi Ms. Rosenberger!
My mom saved your article in the Union Tribune and showed it to me when I went home for Thanksgiving, and all I can say is wow! What an awesome experience! I remember when you went to the Arctic when I had you for Chem, hope your students are doing well in your absence (I know what they're missing!)
I love your pictures of all the penguins! They're too cute! That video clip had me laughing out loud! I love reading about your experiments and seeing the wonderful pictures you're posting for all to see! I hope you're having as much fun as it looks like you're having! Can't wait to see/read more!
Take care,
Julie Helkenn (class of '02)

Posted by: Amanda Stahl Dec 11 2005, 09:58 PM

hey, I just thought do they somehing equivalent to the northern lights or aurura borealis? Well I love the picture.
Amanda

Posted by: Dena_Rosenberger Dec 12 2005, 04:24 AM

Hello Julie:

How nice to hear from you! Thanks for looking in on me. You've been with me at both poles, so I guess that makes you bipolar, too, in a way. tongue.gif

Let me know where you are and what you are doing.

Take care,
Ms. R


QUOTE(Guest @ Dec 11 2005, 05:32 PM)
Hi Ms. Rosenberger!
My mom saved your article in the Union Tribune and showed it to me when I went home for Thanksgiving, and all I can say is wow! What an awesome experience! I remember when you went to the Arctic when I had you for Chem, hope your students are doing well in your absence (I know what they're missing!)
I love your pictures of all the penguins! They're too cute! That video clip had me laughing out loud! I love reading about your experiments and seeing the wonderful pictures you're posting for all to see! I hope you're having as much fun as it looks like you're having! Can't wait to see/read more!
Take care,
Julie Helkenn (class of '02)
*


Posted by: Dena_Rosenberger Dec 12 2005, 04:27 AM

Hi Amanda:

Down here they call it Aurora Australis (australis means south), but it works the same as at the North Pole. Wish I could see it! Unfortunately, it is light ALL of the time, so we can't see it at all.
Ms. R

QUOTE(Amanda Stahl @ Dec 11 2005, 09:58 PM)
hey, I just thought do they somehing equivalent to the northern lights or aurura borealis? Well I love the picture.
Amanda
*


Posted by: Guest Dec 12 2005, 10:57 PM

Hey-
I'm sitting here in class while our sex-ed teacher is talking about, well, sex and body parts. Part of our 10th grade curriculum. At least most of the students are focused if not real serious.
Things super hectic right now with teaching, preparing our site for building, and the Holidays - not to mention getting ready to fly to Carolina. And though we're so busy it is real satisfying learning a new trade, how to build a house.
Still loving Crawford. Samson doing well.
Have you lost any toes to frostbite yet?
Take care-
Keith Wayne

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