(click on the photos to enlarge)
In the austral summers of 1996 and 1997 (click on the photos to enlarge) Dr. Vanek was part of two unique research expeditions funded by the National Science Foundation. Located here is a brief overview of some of the research that took place including personal photos and accounts of the experience. The attached slides were from a powerpoint presentation given to the Orange County Alumni Chapter of Sigma Chi on August 31st, 2011.MVI_1456
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- Long Term Ecological Research
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- Topics of Interest
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- Exploring the Antarctic
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- Transport Vehicles for Antarctica
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- Mt. Erebus = Largest Volcano
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- NSF McMurdo Base, “Ivan the Terribus” & C130 Transport
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- Map of the South Pole
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- NB Palmer – Icebreaker
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- LTER Marine Research Grid and Polar Duke
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- Palmer Station’s Antarctic Ecosystem
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- Bio-Optical-Profiling-System (BOPS) correlating water data with Sea Ice Imaging
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- SSM/i Microwave Satellite Sea Ice Data
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- Visable Satellite (AVHRR) vs. Microwave Data
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- AVHRR Imaging
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- Navigating through the Sea Ice Leads
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- Microwave Satellite Image of Sea Ice
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- Dr. Vanek with the BOPS
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- Launching the BOPS
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- BOPS = Bio-Optical-Profiling-System
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- Live From Antarctica – Palmer Station
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- Antarctic Sea Birds
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- Adelie Penguin Rookery
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- Penguin Family
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- Skua Attack!
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- Penguins near Palmer
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- Crabeater Seal
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- Orcas
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- Giant Orca Pod Video
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- Leopard Seal
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- Chinstrap Penguin near Palmer Station
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- ‘Normal Operations’ around the ship
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- Bay of Whales
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- Beautiful Antarctica
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- Peaks & Glaciers
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- Crystal Sound
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- “The” Iceberg Shot
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- The sun never sets during summer at the South Pole
How could you tolerate the cold there?
We were there during the austral summer (our winter = their summertime). Its like a nice day on the ski slopes… brisk, but usually sunny and not that cold – easy to get a sunburn!
Incredible pictures! Almost makes me want to go there.
What was it like in Antarctica?
Thanks for asking! If I was to say a few things quickly (besides the obvious beautiful landscapes, marine life, etc. etc.):
#1 Its not as cold as you would think (during their summer months)
#2 Its AMAZINGLY quiet. There are no insects… i.e. birds/bees, etc. etc. sounds of nature do not exist as they do here (not to mention cars, trucks, freeways).
#3 NONE of the animals there are domesticated. As a result they (penguins, sea lions, birds, orcas, etc) have ZERO fear of humans & interact with you in a way you couldn’t imagine.
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