Should the bodies of 3 Navy Personel that died in plane crash in Antarctica in 1946 be brought home?

This is an interesting debate that I read about in this article. Back in 1946 three men were put to rest under the wing of their crashed plane by the six survivors of the plane crash. Now that that part of the glacier might break off the families want to bring them home. However, the Navy does not agree, as they see it as a proper resting place similar to how those that died on the U.S.S. Arizona remain there. Sounds like they are looking for Obama's support and also government money to bring them home. I got nothing wrong with them wanting to bring them home, but I do think it is a waste of time and money, especially if they want public and not private funds to do it.

What do you think?

New Laser for Atmosphere Research in Antarctica

Australia's Davis Station is getting a new laser for researching the atmosphere. The current laser has been in use since 2001, but it is now being replaced by a new high powered laser. The laser is used to research changes in the atmosphere with a main focus on the particles destroying the ozone hole.

Read more about the new laser and it use in Antarctica in this article.

Qantas A380 New Year's Eve Antarctic Flyover

Qantas is offering its first sightseeing flyover of Antarctica on a A380 plane as a special New Year's Eve flight. Seems like a different way to see the continent, but really is not anywhere near a way of actually experiencing the continent. Sure it might be cheaper with economy seats starting at $999, but that is for only 11.5 hours of a airplane flight and not a several day cruise where you actually step on the continent. Basically it sounds interesting and all, but I sure would rather save up for a cruise than a flyover. Read more about it here.

Hollywood Movie Whiteout Based in Antarctica and on Reality, but Overall Fiction

I just read an interesting article about the new upcoming movie Whiteout, which I comes to theaters tomorrow, September 11, 2009. The article talks about how the Antarctic aspect is actually based in the real science/facts of Antarctica with less fiction license than some might think. Of course, to me it seem obvious that it was, but I guess those unfamiliar with Antarctica would think they are exaggerating in the trailer about 200 MPH winds and the cold temperatures. It is mostly a fictional plot, though, in regards to the murder and their even being a US Marshal stationed there, although it seems the station manager is actually deputized by the Marshal service.

TV Shows with Penguins: Wizards of Waverly Place "Wizards & Vampires & Zombies"

The "Wizards & Vampires & Zombies" episode of Wizards of Waverly Place only has penguins in it for like 30 seconds, but it is not subtle. The penguin reference in this episode is related to Harper wearing an outfit with the theme of penguins and carrying a penguin as part of her wacky outfit, which of course for her is totally the norm. Alex refers to her outfit as having chickens on it and relates to Harper being too chicken to ask a guy to prom, but her joke fails miserable when Harper points out they are penguins.

Online Games with Penguins: Penguins of Madagascar Operation Ice Fish

Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Ice Fish is an online game on Nick.com. The game is based on the penguin characters in the Penguins of Madagascar animated show on Nickelodeon. The game is kind of just a simplistic one of clicking to try to capture fish in the net. It is kind of interesting and the penguins are Antarctic ones despite being zoo guys. However, they are rather anthropomorphic characters and use a net to catch the fish, but I like the personalities of these secret agent like penguins and their missions. This game, though, is too simplistic and rather lacking of any real objective to make it interesting enough to want to play again.

Penguins of Madagascar Nickelodeon Magazine Cover

I did not subscribe to Nickelodeon Magazine, but I guess over the summer Nick Jr. Magazine, which I did subscribe to stopped printing and they just decided to send me the Nickelodeon Magazine instead. I was not happy when the first issue was a Spongebob one, but I was out of town and soon ended up with the next month's issue because I did not know about having to cancel my subscription. The next one, though, was kind of nice because it has the Penguins of Madagascar show characters on it. I might not be much into the show because of King Julien ruining it, but I still like the penguins and without having to listen to King Julien it is way better.

The only thing inside the issue that features the penguins is on page 22 of this issue (September 2009 by the way). It is an article made to be like the front page of the Zoo York Times with articles about the happenings at the zoo. I was kind of disappointed that there was not anything else with the penguins in the issue. At least I now have a cool cover to add to my crazy collection of random penguin images in my Antarctic bathroom.

Pine Island Glacier Melting Much Faster Than 15 Years Ago

The Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica is melting much faster than it was 15 years ago. Back in 1994, the melt rate led to the estimate that it would not melt for another 600 years. Now the melt rate suggests it will be gone in less than 100 years. It is believed that if this glacier melts then it will lead to a quick disintegration of the rest of West Antarctica's ice sheet. Read more about the recent research about it melting and the possible sea rise implications in the article here.

Whiteout: Upcoming Thriller Set in Antarctica

Below is the trailer to an upcoming movie that is set in Antarctica. It is not often that a fictional movie/show is based in Antarctica, but that is where Whiteout is set. The movie is based on a 1999 comic book by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber. It is a thriller about a lone U.S. Marshal assigned to Antarctica having to try to solve a murder before the Antarctic winter arrives in a few days. It certainly seems action packed, but it does not look based in enough reality to be that great. Whiteout will be in theaters starting September 11, 2009.

India to Build New Antarctic Base in January 2010

Here is a news story about India announcing that they will build their third Antarctic Base. They plan to begin building it in January 2010 (Antarctic summer). They hope to get it finished and operating within two years. The base is to be located in the Larsemann Hills region, which the article says broke is part of Antarctica that broke off from the Indian Peninsula 120 million years ago.