Journal Entry

Getting to McMurdo is pretty hard. I told you about the C-130 that I flew in on. The C-130 is well suited for this because it is the largest transport plane that can be equipped with skis.

Plane SkiC-130 equipped with skis.

Although the larger C-17 sometimes does run flights at different points in the season.

IvanThis is Ivan the Terra Bus ... it acts as a shuttle from Willie Field.

McMurdo sometimes is visited by ship as well. The recent arrival of the icebreaker signals that the research vessel, The Robert B. Palmer will soon arrive at McMurdo.

Breaker and CopterHelopad with ice breaker in the background.

With any luck I'll get a tour and can share some details about the science that is going on aboard the NBP. While at McMurdo, getting around can be very easy or very hard. McMurdo is a very walkable station when the weather is good. There are also shuttles that go out to Williams Field and occasionally Scott Base, A New Zealand Base very close to McMurdo.

ZodiacZodiac with snow mobiles in the background.

When the weather gets bad though, the station has to be prepared. You can see trucks equipped with wide tires or even tracks.

Track truckTruck equipped with tracks. The speedometer is still calibrated for tires so from inside it seems like you are going 80mph. HanselsHansel and PistenBully tracked vehicles.

There are snow machines and larger tracked vehicles on station. There is even a helicopter pad for scientists going to remote areas or for rescue missions.

Fat Tire BikesFat tire bikes for loan ... How'd that pink one even get here? Snow ChopperUmmm ... ??!!??

Comments

Sat, 01/21/2017 - 06:55

Reema

Do you work with other countries that are maybe based there or do you only interact within the Polar Trec team?

Sat, 01/21/2017 - 10:16

Eric Thuma

We worked pretty closely with some folks from South Korea because we are sending th neutron monitors to a south Korean station.

Sun, 01/22/2017 - 11:16

Natalie Cuckovich

During the constant daylight down there is it mostly sunny or overcast? How likely is it that you'll get sunburnt (or a nice tan) from the sun reflecting off of the ice and snow?

Sun, 01/22/2017 - 11:16

Natalie Cuckovich

During the constant daylight down there is it mostly sunny or overcast? How likely is it that you'll get sunburnt (or a nice tan) from the sun reflecting off of the ice and snow?

Sun, 01/22/2017 - 11:19

Eric Thuma

Well usually it is pretty overcast from what I hear. But the past few weeks have been pretty clear. I have gotten enough of color on my face to develop a sunglass line. But that will probably fade. There is a very real possibility of getting a sunburn on a clear day.

Tue, 01/17/2017 - 17:35

Joseph Berishaj

Do you get to interact with a lot of wildlife while you're in Antarctica?

Tue, 01/17/2017 - 17:57

Eric Thuma

Not much. There are rules about interacting with wildlife and basically if you get close enough that they change their behavior then you are too close. There are exceptions for scientific research but since I'm not attached to one of those programs i have got to keep my distance. But there have been plenty of seals and skua around and I like to go out and watch the seals. They don't do much but it's really peaceful. Oh and I got to see some tardigrades in a microscope today ... do they count?

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 03:49

Jakob Heberling

Hey Mr. Thuma. I saw something on the news that said the British were removing their base down there due to a crack in the ice. Does this affect you at all and is this near where you are located?

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 05:32

Alex Munteanu

Do you guys travel to Antarctica during the summer just for the weather or does the more direct sunlight of the summer help your readings on the neutron monitors of solar rays?

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 06:18

Dillan gregaitis

Have you had any problems with the weather since you've been there? Have you had to ever stop what you're doing because of the conditions?

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 08:01

Kory gabrielson

Are the days short or long compared to michigan?

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 10:02

Eric Thuma

No that does not affect McMurdo. But later this week I will be talking with an expert on ice stability so I'll ask him about it. I believe it is a field base and this has happened in the past. At one point a German field camp was lost when the ice it was on broke off. Luckily no one was there at the time.

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 10:09

Eric Thuma

The neutron monitors take data year round. But they only come in to check on them and to maintanance during the summer because the conditions are more livable

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 10:11

Eric Thuma

Right now they are as long as they can get 24hours of daylight. The next sunset at McMurdo will be on Feb. 20

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 10:13

Eric Thuma

So far the weather has been pretty good and the only thing we have had to change our plans around is the flight schedule

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 10:23

Ella Zajac

What do you do with the trash you have? (wrappers, extra food) What is there a garbage system?

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 11:07

Michael Melaragni

Is it hard to sleep because of the constant sunlight?

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 11:17

Timothy Kim

Did you go independently or did the school support you? Also, how did the Cosray team get put together? Was it just because all of you enrolled at the same time or is there a specific reason?

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 11:34

Eric Thuma

they recycle as much as possible. In fact, part of the training here is proper recycling protocols. What they can't recycle is landfilled but everyone makes an effort to minimize the amount of landfill.

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 11:40

Eric Thuma

I applied on my own but I wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of the school district. In particular, Dr Skedel has been very supportive as well as Beth Davis and Carrie Lawler from downtown. As far as the CosRay team, Dr. Madsen picked Sam and Dylan becasue they were outstanding physics students at UWRF. I was probably placed with them because I have some background in nuclear physics and astronomy.

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 11:38

Eric Thuma

Not as hard as I thought. I wear sunglasses when I'm outside after 6 PM and close the shade in my room a couple hours before I go to bed. That seems to help.

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 15:31

Lexi Powers

Are the neutron monitors close enough that you walk to them, or do you have to take one of the tracked vehicles? Also does it feel that much different than a normal truck besides it being at a much slower speed?

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 16:52

Trevor van Loosbroek

Earlier in physics you were talking about a car tire salesman and how changing the surface area won't help for greater traction. So how do the bigger wheels on those bikes have better traction.

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 18:01

Eric Thuma

Its a little over a mile away so it's walkable. Sometimes we take a shuttle but that i pretty much a regular van, Today I was in one of the flat-tracks (the trucks with the tracks) they actually ride pretty smooth all things considered. Not that much different than a regular truck.

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 18:04

Eric Thuma

The tires aren't slipping against the ground so the friction works out a bit differently. Also the bigger tires allow for a more aggressive tread which can grab and hook onto bits that stick out.

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 16:16

Luke Sabo

Looks awesome! Remember not to touch the penguins.

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