Crestwood Explores the World
  • Schoolyard Science
  • Ranger Ro's Blog
    • Cuyahoga Valley National Park
  • Miss Harr's Antarctic Blog!
  • The Crestwood-Antarctica Connection
    • Penguin Month!
    • Nature Detective Photo Challenge >
      • Description
      • Contest Guidelines
      • Borrow a Camera
      • Photo Tips
      • Meet the Fall Winners!
      • Winter Winners
    • Read and Walk to Antarctica
    • Polar Postcard Challenge
    • Student Work >
      • Penguin Fact Video
    • Skype with Miss Harr
    • Happy Birthday, Miss Harr!
    • Upcoming Events
    • Teacher Resources
    • Thank You
  • Antarctica Facts
    • The End of the Earth
    • Where is Antarctica?
    • Wildlife >
      • Virtual Wildlife Tour
    • History of Antarctica
    • More Resources
  • Antarctic Research Expedition
    • 2012 Antarctic Research Team >
      • Dr. Richard Lee
      • Dr. Dave Denlinger
      • Natalie Harr
      • Dr. Shin Goto
      • Yuta Kawarasaki
    • Palmer Station, Antarctica
    • Our Study Sites
    • Previous Research Teams
    • Research Findings
    • Publications >
      • Science Education
      • Insect Cryobiology
      • Vertebrate Cryobiology
      • Microbial Cryobiology
  • Gigapan Technology
    • Wall of Fame
  • Get Connected to Antarctica!
  • Teacher Websites
    • Miss Harr's First Grade >
      • Photo Gallery and Blog
      • Schoolyard Science Blog

To the Bottom of the World

1/7/2012

12 Comments

 

To the Bottom of the World

On Wednesday December 28, 2011, we continued on our journey to Palmer Station, Antarctica.  Only 800 miles away, we needed to cross the Southern Ocean to reach our final destination.  Can you find Punta Arenas and Palmer Station on the map? Which mode of transportation do you think we need (airplane, ship, car, etc?) to get there?

Picture

Map provided by www.frozenfly.edublog.org

Picture
Here I am standing in front of the LMG.
The Icebreaker Ship

Since there is no place to land an airplane at Palmer Station, ships play a critical role to support scientific research in and near the Antarctic peninsula.  The Laurence M. Gould (LMG) is a 230 foot research vessel that is designed to transport personnel, scientists, and cargo from Punta Arenas to Palmer Station.  

The LMG has been in operation since 1997, and it is named after renowned geology professor and Antarctic expedition leader Dr. Laurence Gould.  The ship is constructed to withstand year-round ice conditions to support science operations on the vessel and at Palmer Station.  Scientists working on the ship study the geology, geophysics, biology, and chemistry of the peninsula.  

Ship Talk

I had never been on a ship before, so I had a lot to learn for my voyage.  The following are some ship terms that were commonly used by the crew and passengers.    See if you can match them up with the picture!  


portside                   deck                           smokestack

anchor                      superstructure            propeller

bow                          stern                          bulbous bow


Picture

The answers are available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship. 
 

Leaving the Bay


As we sailed through the Chilean Bay, I stood on the bow of the ship and watched the beautiful blue water around me.  Then some playful animals swam alongside the ship wishing us a bon voyage!  These are Commerson's dolphins.  They have a distinct black and white pattern to them, making them exceptionally beautiful and easy to spot in the water.  But, their quick agility does not make them easy to photograph!  Check out my photos below!

The Drake Passage

The most challenging part of the voyage was crossing the Drake Passage.  Here, several ocean currents merge and create the roughest waters in the world.  Fortunately, we had a somewhat smooth crossing with only... 22 foot waves!  I pretty much stayed in bed to avoid being sea sick.  Watch my video for some highlights.

After discussing the Drake Passage with the ship's captain, I learned that he has experienced 30-40 foot waves during stormy weather when navigating through the Drake Passage on the LMG.  Below is a video that demonstrates a difficult crossing for a Russian ship back in 2006.  I never though that I'd be thankful for 22 foot waves!

Ringing in the New Year

It took about two days to cross the 500 mile wide Drake Passage.  Luckily, the seas had calmed down just in time for a New Year's Eve celebration. 

The Antarctic Peninsula

As we approached the Antarctic peninsula, the scenery changed drastically.  The fog gave way to majestic snow capped mountains, icebergs glowing in the water, and mysterious sea life below.  

On board our ship, there were many different kinds of scientists.  Some planned to stay on the ship to conduct research, and some were heading to Palmer Station like me.  One of these scientists staying onboard is Dr. Ari Friedlaender.  He studies the Antarctic marine life, with a special focus on whales.  During the ship ride I often helped Ari search for whales in the waters around us from the ship's bow.   Once we arrived in the Antarctic, he and his research team launched a zodiac boat into the icy sea to search for whales.  

You can learn more about Dr. Friedlaender's research by watching his t.v. interview below.

12 Comments
Bonnie Soos
1/8/2012 03:58:45 am

Nature Nat......What amazing videos! I definitely would have been "sea sick" on the ship whether it be 22 ft waves or 40 ft waves! You are brave!! Can't wait to see more! It looks absolutely breath-taking there!Miss you...keep up the awesome work! I'm so proud of you!

Love you,
Bonnie

Reply
Nature Nat
1/10/2012 03:59:57 am

Hi Bonnie,

Yes! You would have been quite sick on the ship. I kept thinking that it was better me than you! haha. Thanks for all your love and support! Can't wait to skype with your school!

Reply
Sandy K. Harr
1/8/2012 09:52:33 am

Nat, the photos and videos are absolutely beautiful!!! Can't wait to see what you post next. What an awesome adventure!!! Proud of you.

Love Mom

Reply
Nature Nat
1/10/2012 04:02:54 am

Hi Mom!

Thanks for all your love and support! I miss you very much. I'll give you a call soon to catch up.

Reply
Robert A. Harr Sr.
1/8/2012 10:36:20 am

Hi Natalie! It was great talking to you this evening. We just finished looking at your blog. Sounds like you are having a great time. The pictures are beautiful. Keep up the good work. We are very proud of you and your accomplishments. Stay safe. See you soon.

Love,
Dad

Reply
Nat Nat
1/10/2012 04:04:03 am

Hi Dad!

Thanks for your sweet message. You would love the mountains and wildlife here. Thinking of you always.

Reply
Jane O'Brien
1/8/2012 12:27:46 pm

Hi Natalie!
Your blog is great, and the expedition is awesome! I wish I was there!!
I'm sharing your pictures and videos with my students on my Smartboard. Have a great time!!

Your Nature Camp Friend, Jane

Reply
Nature Nat
1/10/2012 04:06:02 am

Hi Jane!

I'm so happy to hear from you. Thanks for sharing the Antarctica Connection with your preschoolers. Keep in touch!

Reply
Cindy Schooler
1/9/2012 12:30:27 am

Natalie, this looks like an amazing adventure thanks for sharing such a great blog. The students are so blessed to have you as their teacher. Best wishes always.

Reply
Nature Nat
1/10/2012 04:07:58 am

Hi Cindy,

Thanks for your message. I hope you and your family are doing well. Take care!

Reply
Carol Schirner
1/9/2012 03:55:21 am

Natalie, My husband and I run Camp Oty'Okwa where I met you last June during Educators' Week. Your blog is amazing!!! I am so happy for you to have this adventure and to share it with so many young people is even more wonderful. The children you are touching are fortunate to have you in their lives. Keep up the great work!! I can't wait for your next blog. Also..we teach about the gall fly in our Insect Study with environmental education groups at camp so I can share your story there as well. I am so excited for you!!!!

Reply
Nature Nat
1/10/2012 04:12:45 am

Hi Carol,

I'm so glad you are following the blog. It has been an amazing experience so far, and it's even more rewarding to share it with my students and school. That's great that you teach about the golden rod fly to your education groups. I have lots of information I can share with you to help. Keep up the great work at Camp Oty'Okwa!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Miss Natalie Harr is a first grade teacher at Crestwood Primary School in northeastern Ohio.

    Archives

    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011

    Categories

    All
    Thank You For Taking The Survey!

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.