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Oden Antarctic Expedition 08

Hi Jeff, Yep we got a dusting in Houston today- that was big news for these parts :)We were just finished with discussing Antarctica, and down it came. Great timing!! We have been following your transit through the Drake. Sounds like it wasn't as calm as last year. We also saw the video of you on deck. How did you ever get that cleared with the captain? :) My fifth graders have sent some questions for you: Alex: How do you feel being on a tilting ship? Madison: What places are you studying and why? Anna: Do you enjoy the cold weather? ( you were in shorts on deck) Brandon: How is life on the Oden - are you liking it? Renee & Isaac: How cold was the coldest temperature so far? Kendall & Rachel: The Oden is made out of steel and you said that it is strong and flexible. How can steel be flexible? Sabrina: How long did it take to cross the Drake passage? David: Are you making new friends on the Oden? Kaz:If you were in lockdown, howare you able to go out thee during the storm. Were you scared? Lucas: Have you seen any more penguins? Sean: What speed can the Oden do? And I have 2 questions: One for Agneta or Melissa- Have they ever identified the "egg" from last year? And for Tish: Have you figured out how many carbons??? :D Well,I just went out and it is REALLY snowing now. It will be gone by morning Im sure- so I'm going out to play in it now! Cheers, Lollie

Sun, 12/14/2008 - 18:47

Jeff Peneston

Great questions!
First, I am sorry that it has taken me so long to reply to your question but here goes.
I asked the chief officer to help me make the video and he showed me a safe place and he shot the video of me!
Alex: How do you feel being on a tilting ship?    A: I liked the fact that I was challenged in a way that was new to me and I managed to survive for 4 tough days on the Drake without using any medications or getting seasick.  However,  it was hard to sleep, shower, stand, eat, etc and I am very happy to be inside the calm shelter of the sea ice.
Madison: What places are you studying and why?    A:  I am interested in every place I can go.  I liked the waves of the open ocean and I really like the beauty of the frozen sea ice.  The science team I am working with is focuses on collecting the the microscopic plants and bacteria that live inside the ice so we will be going to lots of sea ice in the Amundsen Sea
Anna: Do you enjoy the cold weather? ( you were in shorts on deck)    A: My family has had almost 3 feet of snow at my house so far this year and the truth is I think winter is a great time of the year.  It is beautiful and clean.  I wore my bathing suit in the video because I knew I would get soaked and I didn’t want to have to get my jeans and sweatshirt wet.
Brandon: How is life on the Oden - are you liking it?    A:  I am really happy to live on the Oden.  You can see pictures of my life here in my Dec 2 journal.  The beds and food are good and the people are very friendly.
Renee & Isaac: How cold was the coldest temperature so far?    A: The coldest air temp so far is only a few degrees below freezing. Perhaps -5?C.  The wind can make it feel much colder though.
Kendall & Rachel: The Oden is made out of steel and you said that it is strong and flexible. How can steel be flexible?    A:  If you take a steel ruler or a steel paper clip you can flex it and it will spring back.  If you bend it too much it will stay that way.  When you ring a bell you are striking the metal and it is vibrating to make the sound.  The vibrations are actually the metal flexing back and forth.
Sabrina: How long did it take to cross the Drake passage?    A:  A very long 4 days.David: Are you making new friends on the Oden?    A: Absolutely.  I have really enjoyed taking some of the student’s questions to the ship’s crew which has given me a chance to meet them.  
Kaz:If you were in lockdown, how are you able to go out thee during the storm. Were you scared?    A:  I asked the ship’s Chief Officer to help me find a safe place to make the video and then he helped supervise me.  No, I was not scared, I trusted the ship and the crew to keep me safe.
Lucas: Have you seen any more penguins?    A:  Tons!  Today I was able to sit on the sea ice next to the ship and the penguins came right up to me.  Check out the video and photos on my journals from 12/13  and 12/14.
Sean: What speed can the Oden do?    A: With all four giant engines going the 25,000 horse power can push the 13,000 tons of the Oden through flat water at a maximum speed of 16 knots which is about 17mph.  In 1meter thick sea ice, we try to conserve fuel and use only 2 engines and go about 5knots.
And I have 2 questions: One for Agneta or Melissa- Have they ever identified the "egg" from last year?And for Tish: Have you figured out how many carbons??? :D    A:  I will have to get back to you with their responses.  
I hope you enjoy your Texas snow.  I can’t believe that you were able to keep up with all the work on board.  It is nearly midnight, again and I am still working on questions from a few days ago.  I went out and sat down with the Adelies today and I kept watching for 2 of them to hold hands.  I think of you often and every day I realize how much your journals and your phone calls has helped prepare me for all of this.
Thanks so much.
Jeff