I found this article about casting the penguins for Mr. Popper's Penguins an interesting read. The article talks about selecting what species to use, how the penguins were housed during the shooting, and training them. Makes me even more interested in seeing the movie, but first I want to get around to reading the book. Since I have so many books in my to read pile and do not even own Mr. Popper's Penguins, yet, I probably will not be seeing this movie until it is on DVD.
Those that have read the book or do not care to read it before seeing the movie, can enjoy it in theaters beginning June 17, 2011.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Scott's Last Expedition Museum Exhibit to travel to three participating museums
This summer the Scott's Last Expedition exhibit opens in Syndey, Australia, at the Australian National Maritime Museum. This exhibit brings together various artifacts from Scott's 1910-1913 Terra Nova Expedition in which he died on his way back from the South Pole. The exhibit opens in Australia at June 17, 2011.
The exhibit will travel on to the two other participating museums with it opening in January 2012 at the Natural History Museum in London and in November 2012 at the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Read more about this exhibit here.
The exhibit will travel on to the two other participating museums with it opening in January 2012 at the Natural History Museum in London and in November 2012 at the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Read more about this exhibit here.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Happy Feet Two Comes to Theaters November 18, 2011
The sequel to Happy Feet is about Mumble's son, who does not want to dance. The trailer does not make it seem all that interesting, as there is not much to it, but it actually makes me totally uninterested because it some rap hip hop thing and I do not like that kind of music. However, the graphics look nice and it is going to be in 3D, so that sounds kind of cool. Plus, its still penguins and set in Antarctica.
The end of the trailer is also kind of disturbing with the little penguin looking like he is being hung and then the seal kind of eating him to pull him back up.
The end of the trailer is also kind of disturbing with the little penguin looking like he is being hung and then the seal kind of eating him to pull him back up.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Chile Plans to Add Museum to Arturo Prat Base
Chile is planning to add a museum with exhibits relating to Chilean Antarctic explorers/pioneers to its Arturo Prat base. The museum is partly to remember the explorer's achievements, but it is also meant to draw tourism. All those that fear they are majorly trying to ruin Antarctica and draw massive tourism, there is not much to fear, as they only hope to draw 500 people a year.
One of the things the museum will highlight is the Chilean Luis Prado's involvement in the rescue of Shackleton's men from Elephant Island in 1916. Additionally, the museum will highlight the founding of Chile's first Antarctic base in 1947.
The museum is expected to be finished within the next two years, so visitors should be able to start enjoying it by end of 2013.
Read more about the plans here.
One of the things the museum will highlight is the Chilean Luis Prado's involvement in the rescue of Shackleton's men from Elephant Island in 1916. Additionally, the museum will highlight the founding of Chile's first Antarctic base in 1947.
The museum is expected to be finished within the next two years, so visitors should be able to start enjoying it by end of 2013.
Read more about the plans here.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Book Review: Magic Tree House Research Guide Penguins and Antarctica
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.
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.
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:
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