Journal Entry

12 Hours in Sydney

Layovers aren't always bad. Because we had 12 hours between arriving in Sydney and departing for New Zealand, we had time to visit the city. Although it was raining, Andrew, Terry, Carl and I walked over the Sydney Harbor Bridge, which is the tallest steel arch bridge in the world. From there we had a lovely view of the Sydney Opera House.

Michelle at BridgeMichelle Brown smiles in on the Harbor Bridge overlooking the Opera House in Sydney.

We strolled through the harbor area and spent some time in the Botanical Garden. It was nice to be amidst greenery and fresh air after many hours in planes and airports. We saw Australian White Ibis in the gardens. Although these birds seem exotic, they are considered a nuisance, since they are prevalent on city streets and have been known to steal food.

IbisAn Ibis stands on a bench in the Botanical Gardens in Sydney, with the Opera House and bridge in the background.

The CDC

After a lengthy layover in Sydney, we flew into Christchurch, New Zealand very late at night. Early this morning we went to the Clothing Distribution Center (CDC), where we learned more about our upcoming trip to McMurdo Station and received our Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) gear.

The CDCAntarctic researchers and staff head into the Clothing Distribution Center to get oriented and receive gear.

ECW Before and After

It can become difficult to identify people once they put on their ECW gear. Luckily everyone wears a name-tag on their red coat!

Michelle before ECWMichelle Brown before trying on her Extreme Cold Weather gear. Michelle after ECWMichelle Brown after trying on her Extreme Cold Weather gear.

CDC Reunion

At the CDC I ran into an old friend from 2011, Guy Calveit. Guy works at the CDC and is very helpful in getting scientists and staff the right gear. He also is a Steelers fan, like me.

Guy and Michelle 2011Michelle Brown and Guy Calveit in 2011. Guy and Michelle 2015Michelle Brown and Guy Calveit, a little older and wiser, in 2015.

A Visit to Heaton School

After making sure we were prepared for Antarctica, Terry, Carl and I headed to the Heaton Normal Intermediate School, where we talked to students about our research trip, discussed some of the animals we will see and shared the ECW gear with students.

Visiting Heaton SchoolMichelle Brown and Terry Palmer discuss their upcoming research with students at the Heaton School in Christchurch, New Zealand. Trying on ECW gear at Heaton SchoolCarl Green and Terry Palmer have Heaton School students try on the big red coat and bunny boots.

All Blacks Parade

Following the school visit, we joined many Christchurch locals in celebrating the national rugby team, All Blacks, who recently won the World Cup!

Terry at the paradeProud Kiwi, Terry Palmer, sports an All Blacks jersey at the parade in Christchurch. Marching BandA marching band starts the festivities for the All Blacks victory parade. All Blacks World CupAll Blacks rugby team members show off their World Cup at the victory parade.

All in all, it's been a whirlwind day. Tomorrow we will head back to the CDC at 4:45am and hopefully fly to McMurdo Station.

Critical Thinking Answer

In the last journal I asked why an airplane would be required to fly with 100 less people heading from Dallas to Sydney than the return flight. Students at Park Forest Elementary in State College, PA wrote in a very close correct response. When we head from Dallas to Sydney we are heading West (as well as South), while the jet stream (a high "river" of wind) flows from East to West. Flying against the jet stream requires more energy, and therefore more fuel. A heavier plane also requires more fuel, so by making the plane lighter on the trip to Sydney, we have enough fuel to tackle those jet streams. On the return flight from Sydney to Dallas, we will be flying with the jet stream and will not need more fuel to overcome it, therefore the plane can be full.

Ice POD

Today's Ice POD is about the quest for Emperor Penguin Eggs during Scott's expedition:

You can access a PowerPoint Slide of the Ice POD by clicking here: 3_icepod.pptx

Ice Picture of the Day, day 3Ice picture of the day about the quest for Emperor Penguin Eggs during Scott's expedition.

Comments

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 10:45

Mrs. Hoffman's…

HI Ms. Brown,We loved reading your journal today. It looks like you will be warm in Antarctica!! Patty Ann is curious to know if there are frogs in antarctica because they make anti-freeze too. Zoe wants to know how many animal species are in/around Antarctica. Eli wants to know if you look for Artifacts there? And Noah wants to know if pollution is relevant to evolution and how?

We can't wait to read more next week!
Mrs. Hoffman and her penguins.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 22:05

Michelle Brown

Hello PFE Penguins!
It is so great to hear from you and know you are following my journey! You have great questions today!

Patty Ann: You are right, frogs make a protein that acts like anti-freeze in their blood (check out this story on it: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070220-frog-antifreeze…), however having an adaptation doesn't mean the animal will be found in other environments that they are well-suited for--animals cannot choose their adaptations, so although the frogs do well in the cold, they don't live here in Antarctica. Also, it's important to note that the frogs with anti-freeze thaw in warm weather, but in Antarctica temperatures rarely stretch above freezing. It's great that you are making the connection though!

Zoe: Not including the worms, starfish and other sea creatures on the seafloor (that is, speaking strictly about those species that live above water in and around Antarctica) there are 17 penguin species, 35 bird species, 11 dolphin species, 6 seal species and 8 whale species. I hope we get to see lots of them! You can read more about the species here: http://spg.ucsd.edu/antarcticareu/wildlife.htm

Eli: Your question about artifacts is important--we don't go around seeking artifacts, however they are evidence of human impacts here. We often go to places that have artifacts nearby. When I asked Terry Palmer, the benthic ecologist who dives and collects sediments and organisms, about your question, he reported seeing cans and other debris during his dives, which you could consider artifacts.

Noah: Your question sparked a great conversation here among the research team. I'll try to summarize, although you hit upon a rich, complex topic. In short, pollution is not greatly relevant to evolution because of the different time spans. Pollution occurs quickly compared to evolution, which occurs very slowly. Although some organisms, like bacteria, can evolve quickly and therefore organisms with advantageous traits could be naturally selected in a polluted area, it would not evolve fast enough to create a new species.