I'm Going to Svalbard!
Getting the Call
When I received the call informing me that I was selected to join a polar research team in Svalbard I was more than excited. I knew immediately that this will be a transformative experience for me as a teacher, scientist and human. It is so unlike anything that anyone I know has done that I had to first contemplate how to explain to people what I plan to do. Some of my friends are still puzzled but certainly everyone is enthusiastic about the adventure and fully supportive.
Off to Fairbanks
I was anxious about meeting everyone at the orientation in Fairbanks. All of the teachers seem so accomplished and it is a humbling and flattering realization that I am included in this inspiring group. I don't think I will get over that feeling. But now that I am here, I have an immediate sense of "Hey, these people are all like me!" Everyone is so passionate about science, excited by nature and eager to share scientific ideas. Conversations flow easily and ideas flourish. I am in my element!
It's Different Up Here in a Great Way
Fairbanks is a beautiful high latitude winter wonderland. The temperatures hovered around negative fifteen yesterday and snow and ice cover everything. I watched a beautiful aurora from the plane and was treated to an excellent sun dog yesterday afternoon. Both of these phenomena become more common as you approach the poles. The auroras result from the emission of photons in the upper atmosphere after excitation by charged particles from the solar wind. The solar wind is directed by the Earth's magnetic field, which is why auroras are seen near the poles. Sun dogs result from the refraction of sun light in ice crystals in high clouds during very cold weather.
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