Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/20/2008 - 05:09

Hello my Friend!

 I thinked you asked a trick question about the largest dolphin on porpoise, orca, Orca, ORCA. Oh Whale!

-7 C here this morning (19F). You will have to check out NOVA's "In Search of Absolute Zero" when you return, has some features on Antarctica in it as well. Antarctica was in the national news last week; They interviewed a Scientist there (it looked like he was there though it may have been editing) about Climate Change data, Global Warming, or Inhanced Global Warming as NOAA and AMS taught me to say several years ago in Kansas City. It was an ice melt issue, but I don't not recall if it was Glacial or sea ice, but is was alarming none the less.

 Thank-You so much for the Green House post as it served for an effective post Bench mark review of a number of questions as we viewed it Friday as the rain fell outside and the temps. hovered near zero C. Every time the classroom door opend it added a sense of realism to our lesson as the cold air blasted through the room and the kids shivered as they viewed you and your photos on the big screen near the door.

 

 We are all excited about your camp-out!

Thank-You for all you and the Scientist are doing there for us!

 Mike Texas McClure Blanco

Kirk Beckendorf

Hey Mike,I think that is th efirst WATIZIT you have answered incorrectly, bummer!!! But that's ok, because I was answering it incorrectly and I saw it in person. No it is not an orca, or any type of dolphin. I'll give you a hint.... it is a baleen whale. BTW I have a marine mammal field guide in the cabinet behind my desk in my classroom.
There is a NOVA crew down here now. There is also a lot of research going into studying the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS). It is moving very quickly, as can be seen via satellite remote imaging, but there is alot more that is not known than is known.
The basic current thought is that warming ocean currents are getting under the ice sheet, which is actually below sea level and lubricating that surface allowing it to "slip and slide" It is an extremely difficult place to get to to study.
Brrr!!! Sounds cold there. It's 0C here.
Good luk to all of your students on their semester test this week. Hopefullly though they don't need Luck.
It is great to hear from you!!!
Kirk