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Pages and Posts Tagged ‘atmosphere’


South Pole Ozonesonde Launch

SOUTH POLE, ANTARCTICA-- Preparation for an ozonesonde launch takes place in the Balloon Inflation Facility (BIF) and begins about 7-10 days prior to launch day... {Read More »}



The Ozone Hole…It’s Still There!

SOUTH POLE, ANTARCTICA-- With the arrival of mid-August, comes our first glimpse of dawn on the horizon. Not only is this a welcome sight to us “Polies”, but it brings upon us initiation of the destruction of ozone in the stratosphere (location of the “ozone layer”)... {Read More »}



Measuring Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide at the South Pole

SOUTH POLE, ANTARCTICA-- At the South Pole, carbon dioxide has been measured for just over 50 years now and there are a few different methods of obtaining a CO2 value... {Read More »}



Aerosols in the Atmosphere

SOUTH POLE, ANTARCTICA-- Several weeks ago, I explained how solar radiation is the main driver of the Earth's climate. When solar radiation passes through the atmosphere and makes its way towards Earth, it can get absorbed, reflected, refracted, or scattered. One of those substances in the atmosphere that can either absorb or scatter solar radiation are aerosols... {Read More »}



Sunset at the South Pole…Finally

SOUTH POLE, ANTARCTICA-- Time does pass quickly down here at the South Pole. I’ve been at the Pole for five months now (it’s hard to believe), and I have another seven or so left to go. Having the sun circle around you for the whole summer almost makes the actual sunset seem to come in slow motion.... {Read More »}



As Sunset Approaches…Let’s Talk Solar Radiation

SOUTH POLE, ANTARCTICA-- Station closing occurred on February 14th at 2:30 AM as the last flight did a spectacular fly-by to wish us well on our eight month deep freeze. No more cargo in or out and we are on our own now... {Read More »}



Sampling the Air at the South Pole

SOUTH POLE, ANTARCTICA-- Check out this video to see one of the methods we use to collect air samples out in the Clean Air Sector at the Atmospheric Research Observatory.... {Read More »}



Getting Thrown into the Fire (Freezer)

SOUTH POLE, ANTARCTICA-- Marc and Cully left on schedule leaving my partner and me to take over. Wouldn’t you know it, the very next day my partner has to leave the ice for a health-related issue and I’m left to run the station on my own having only been there a little over a week!... {Read More »}



Monitoring Earth’s Atmosphere

Scientists at NOAA’s Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO) at the South Pole are measuring global atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from the cleanest air on earth. {Read More »}



First Look

MCMURDO STATION, ANTARCTICA-- We’ve completed our second successful science flight to Terra Nova Bay Friday night into Saturday morning. This was a 16.5 hour flight… {Read More »}