The Magic Tree House Research Guide: Penguins and Antarctica is a nonfiction companion to the fiction book Eve of the Emperor Penguin. This is a great chapter book for kids to learn about penguins and Antarctica, especially if they are fan of the Magic Tree House series.
The book has chapters on penguins, Antarctica explorers, other Antarctic animals, and modern day Antarctica. It also has some recommendations for doing more further research.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Antarctic Book Review: Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne
Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne is part of the Magic Tree House series of chapter books for children. It is set in modern times and the kids magically end up in Antarctica to help find something to cheer up Merlin. It does have some unrealistic magic stuff, but that is what the books are about. At the same time, though, it has some very realistic Antarctic experience information, such as the danger of ice cracks and the volcano Mount Erebus.
Overall this is a decent book. It is rather simple, but it is does give a decent look at how current research works in Antarctica. Definitely a good book for those that are already fans of the series. It is somewhat educational on its own, but match it with the Magic Tree House Research Guide on Penguins and Antarctica for a good brief introduction to the continent and penguins for kids.
Overall this is a decent book. It is rather simple, but it is does give a decent look at how current research works in Antarctica. Definitely a good book for those that are already fans of the series. It is somewhat educational on its own, but match it with the Magic Tree House Research Guide on Penguins and Antarctica for a good brief introduction to the continent and penguins for kids.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Electric Vehicles Being Tested in Antarctica
Currently, two electric vehicles are being tested in Antarctica to see how effective they are and if they could replace some of the diesel trucks used in Antarctica. The electric vehicles being used are E-ride EXV2s. One is owned by NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, part of the US Department of Energy) and one is owned by Raytheon Polar Services. These vehicles hold two passengers and have a truck bed. They can go up to 25 MPH and uses lead based batteries. The vehicles uses battery warming devices, although the harsh Antarctic conditions still limit what the vehicle can do.
It would certainly be a good thing if they can make electric vehicles work in Antarctica and replace at least some of the diesel vehicles. However, at the same time it is good that they are doing research and not just jumping the gun in an effort to appear more green, as it is possible the energy consumption could be equal or more to the diesel vehicles if the electric vehicles need to use a lot of energy to work in the harsh cold.
Further Reading on this topic here.
It would certainly be a good thing if they can make electric vehicles work in Antarctica and replace at least some of the diesel vehicles. However, at the same time it is good that they are doing research and not just jumping the gun in an effort to appear more green, as it is possible the energy consumption could be equal or more to the diesel vehicles if the electric vehicles need to use a lot of energy to work in the harsh cold.
Further Reading on this topic here.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Puerto Williams Striving to be Chile's Ushuaia Equivalent
Puerto Williams is located in Chile, but is only about 25 miles from Ushuiaia in Argentina is located. Ushuaia is the main port that Antarctica tourist cruises leave from. Puerto Williams plans to expand their port to accommodate the cruise liners. Further down the road they also plan to expand the local airport. While they just got some Chilean government money to improve their tourism industry, it appears it will still be a while before they even have the facilities to even try to compete with Ushuaia.
On one hand competition can be good for getting quality tourist experiences, but on the other hand this is sort of attempting to expand the Antarctic tourist industry, which overall is not good for the continent. Sure, the lack of competition might lead to increasingly expensive Antarctic tourism/cruises, but this is the type of tourism industry that I feel needs to be that way to protect the natural environment of Antarctica for others to enjoy it as it is for as long as possible.
Related News Article:
On one hand competition can be good for getting quality tourist experiences, but on the other hand this is sort of attempting to expand the Antarctic tourist industry, which overall is not good for the continent. Sure, the lack of competition might lead to increasingly expensive Antarctic tourism/cruises, but this is the type of tourism industry that I feel needs to be that way to protect the natural environment of Antarctica for others to enjoy it as it is for as long as possible.
Related News Article:
Friday, April 8, 2011
Raytheon Science Support of NSF Research Awarded New Contract
I am very familiar with Raytheon being the employer/provider of the support staff for NSF run bases/camps in Antarctica, although I did not realize it has been only since 2000. However, at the same time I have much longer known them for what most people think of them as, which is a defense contract company. I always think it is funny that a company that builds and sells things like missiles is the same company that handles the support staff for scientific research research in Antarctica, where military activity is banned (military personnel and equipment can be used to scientific research or other peaceful purposes).
The new contract is a $157 million one that extends Raytheon Polar Services support staff role through March 31, 2012.
The new contract is a $157 million one that extends Raytheon Polar Services support staff role through March 31, 2012.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Whisky Recovered from Antarctica Replicated
Earlier this year McKinlay and Co whisky was removed from the ice at one of the camps Shackleton left behind from his 1909 Nimrod Antarctic Expedition. The company ( Whyte & Mackay distillery) that now owns McKinlay and Co whisky has studied the only whisky formulation and successfully replicated its unique flavor.
The Scotland Whyte & Mackay distillery will be selling 50,000 bottles of the replication. The bottles are priced at £100 and 5% of each sale will go to the Antarctic Heritage Trust.
Related Posts:
The Scotland Whyte & Mackay distillery will be selling 50,000 bottles of the replication. The bottles are priced at £100 and 5% of each sale will go to the Antarctic Heritage Trust.
Related Posts:
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Historic Admiral Richard Byrd 2nd Antarctic Expedition Rediscovered
Back in January, a team of researchers rediscovered one of the depots used by American Admiral Richard Byrd and his other expedition members on his 2nd Antarctic Expedition between 1933 and 1935. At the depot they found three crampons and a set of wooden expandable survey poles. Two of the crampons belonged to Quin A Blackburn and one belonged to Richard Russell. The poles had the name Cox on them. The straps of the crampons had disintegrated, but they were otherwise in good condition including no rust on the buckle since it is a dry windblown area (Antarctica is a desert afterall!).
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Video Game with Penguins: 3DS AR Game - Graffiti
I got my Nintendo 3DS yesterday, but did not try the AR Games until today. When I first started the Graffiti (drawing) game, the first thing I drew was a penguin. Mine came out okay, but what is really cool is that one of the few stamp options is a realistic little penguin. I had some fun making some pics using it including one with penguins on an iceberg. As a penguin lover I had a lot of fun with Graffiti partially just because I could stamp penguins.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Mars Space Suit Tested in Antarctica
Recently, a space suit prototype that may eventually be used for a manned mission to Mars by NASA was studied in the harsh, windy conditions of Antarctica. The average temperature on Mars is -200 degrees Farenheit, which is not colder than Antarctica, but the 47 mile per hour winds do help create similar cold conditions or at least as cold as you can get in a natural Earth setting. The suit was tested while users did various activities similar to what they would do on Mars.
It is not the first time Antarctica has been used as a Mars-like habitat for space study reasons. Back in 2007, an Inflatable Habitat was tested at McMurdo for potential use on the moon and Mars. The dry valleys of Antarctica have also been studied as an Earth equivalent to the dry valleys on Mars.
It is not the first time Antarctica has been used as a Mars-like habitat for space study reasons. Back in 2007, an Inflatable Habitat was tested at McMurdo for potential use on the moon and Mars. The dry valleys of Antarctica have also been studied as an Earth equivalent to the dry valleys on Mars.
Antarctica Themed Painting in Alexis Rockman: A Fable for Tommorrow Art Exhibit
Earlier this week at the Smithsonian American Art Museum I happened upon a cool Antarctica themed painting in the Alexis Rockman: A Fable for Tomorrow exhibit of paintings. The paintings are mostly fantasy or future nature themed. The Antarctic themed "South" painting is a several panel one that is among the biggest in the exhibit. It mainly features icebergs.
The exhibit will remain on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (same building as the National Portrait Gallery) until May 8, 2011. It will also be on display at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio September 24, 2011 through January 1, 2012.
The exhibit will remain on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (same building as the National Portrait Gallery) until May 8, 2011. It will also be on display at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio September 24, 2011 through January 1, 2012.
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