Journal

Jon sent in an audio journal for 10-3-21. Please listen using the player below.

Jon on ice
Jon on ice aside the Akademik Tryoshnikov on 10-4-21.

Details
Author
Jonathan Pazol
Date
Location
North of Alaska
Expedition
Nansen and Amundsen Basins Observational System

View Comments

Audio

Comments

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 08:29

Ruby Medina

How do people know what day it is? And how do people know where they're going?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 05:56

Jonathan Pazol

The ship keeps the clocks set on Moscow time, which is 8 hours ahead of Chicago. The Chief Scientist gives the captain a map of the planned stops to collect data, and the captain steers the ship using a navigation system that relies on longitude and latitude - since we are in open ocean, there are no "signs."

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 08:32

Paola Slorzano…

What exactly is going on there? Has there been any issues with anyone there or not?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 05:59

Jonathan Pazol

We are doing science experiments and collecting data 24 hours a day. People work in 12 hour shifts. Most of what we're doing involves collecting water samples and putting data collecting devices under the ocean for the next 2 years. Then, scientists will analyze the water samples back in the lab and come back to pick up the data devices in 2 years. Then, they will repeat this.

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 08:53

Mike Hill

What have you been doing while you are there?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:00

Jonathan Pazol

Most of what I've been doing is working with the chemistry team to collect ocean water samples (see one of the previous journals). I also have been talking to almost everyone else on board to learn what they're doing and to post about the expedition.

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 11:14

Kevin

Do you get less sleep?
Does the ice breaker run on gas?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:02

Jonathan Pazol

Kevin, depending on the day, I get less sleep. On a normal day, I am up by 7, work from 8-8 and then go to sleep around 11. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night (because it's light out), and then I look out the window and watch the ship move through the ice. The ship runs on diesel fuel. It uses a lot of it. If I am allowed, I will take pictures of the engines and post about it in a future post.

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 11:29

Anthony Zientek

did you have any doubts while walking on the ice

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:04

Jonathan Pazol

Check out my post from 10/6. I was a little nervous walking on the ice at first, but then it was so cool, I got over it.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:36

Isabella Casado

What kinds of animals have you seen?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:05

Jonathan Pazol

Check out my post from 10/7 about the polar bear! I've also seen 1 seal, some birds,, and we found a copepod and a pteropd in the water samples (pictures coming in future posts), but it's a pretty harsh environment, so not many organisms live here.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:37

Ricardo Pantoja

Has anyone fallen at the ice

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:07

Jonathan Pazol

Fortunately, the ice where we stop is very thick - check out my 10/6 post. The ship's deck is far more slippery, and I have to be very careful walking around on the deck and up and down the outside stairs.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:39

Robert Paul Amoin

How were the sleeping patterns if you were always in a different area?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:08

Jonathan Pazol

I just sleep according to the clock schedule (Moscow time - 8 hours ahead of Chicago) and not according to "real" time. Some days, we've pulled all-nighters, especially when we've been out on the ice, so I nap when I can.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:40

Jakub Sobczyk

What's your favorite thing to sample or test for? Why?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:11

Jonathan Pazol

Most of the time, we are taking water samples out of the rosette - check out my 9/21 journal post. Then, I help put the radium pump over the side of the ship several times a day. That's "fun" because it gets me outside, but it's often dark, cold, and snowy, so it's not always so "fun."

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:40

Robert Paul Amoin

Does your ship run on Gas or Nuclear Fuel?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:15

Jonathan Pazol

The ship runs on diesel fuel. There are 3 Wärtsilä diesel engines (2 × 6,300 kW, 1 × 4,200 kW). If I get the chance, I'll tour the engine room and write about it.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:42

Jayden Nguyen

Is it cold inside the ship too

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:16

Jonathan Pazol

Fortunately, the ship is well heated (sometimes too much). Most of the time, I can walk around in a hoodie and be very comfortable.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:45

Nicolas

How long is there light and have you went out and look at the sky and do some science on the water at night, and what kind of Ice work do you do and what tools do you use?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:19

Jonathan Pazol

We are very far north and because it's getting closer to winter, there is less and less light every day. We are averaging about 10 hours of daylight. Most of it happens when I'm sleeping. We take samples when it's dark out, but the mooring operations and ice work only take place when it's light out. I will be posting about the ice work in a few days. Stay tuned.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 07:00

Joaquin Figueroa

How would you adapt to a sleep schedule and wake up at the time you need to.

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:21

Jonathan Pazol

Most of the time, I go to sleep around 11 and wake up around 7. On days when I need to be up closer to 24 hours (ice days), I've taken naps when I can. There's so much cool science stuff going on, that I figure I can sleep once I get home because I don't want to miss it.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 07:02

Leonardo

How has it been for you?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:23

Jonathan Pazol

This has been an amazing experience! I get to do science. I get to have an adventure in a part of the world that very few people get to see. I get to meet new people and learn, and I hopefully get to hep you see that there's a big world out there, and you could explore it. Check out my other journals - they're not too boring and will heopfully let you know how it's been.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 07:04

Diego Hurtado

What is the average temperature during the day and night?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:26

Jonathan Pazol

Temperatures are usually below 0 C (32 F) and have gotten as low as -18 C (-2 F). With the wind chill, it feels colder. I have plenty of warm clothes, so it hasn't been too bad.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 07:04

Danny

How do you know what time it is over there?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:27

Jonathan Pazol

Because it's a Russian ship, we stay on Moscow time all the time. That's 8 hours ahead of Chicago.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 07:11

Haylee Herrera

What kind of animals have you seen there?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:28

Jonathan Pazol

Check out my post from 10/7 about the polar bear! I've also seen 1 seal, some birds,, and we found a copepod and a pteropd in the water samples (pictures coming in future posts), but it's a pretty harsh environment, so not many organisms live here.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 07:12

Luis Pizarro

What is your favorite thing to test for?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:35

Jonathan Pazol

Most of the time, we are taking water samples out of the rosette - check out my 9/21 journal post. Then, I help put the radium pump over the side of the ship several times a day. That's "fun" because it gets me outside, but it's often dark, cold, and snowy, so it's not always so "fun."

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 08:06

Valentina Casa…

what was the coldest temperature since you have been there?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:36

Jonathan Pazol

From what I know, it's -18 C, which is just below 0 F, but with the wind chill, it felt like -20 F

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 08:11

Oswaldo Banderas

Has there been any accidents that have happened on board?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:38

Jonathan Pazol

Fortunately, we haven't had accidents during this cruise. Check out the journal on 9/28 about the doctor and medical facilities on board.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 08:41

Paola Reyes

What accidents have occured on board? Were there any moments that you regret going on the trip?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:41

Jonathan Pazol

Paola, fortunately, we haven't had accidents. Check out the 9/29 post about the medical facilities. I was questioning my decision to come on the ship when we sailed into a storm for the first few days, but no, I have not regretted being here. This has been an amazing learning experience and adventure, and I am so happy I have the opportunity to share a small part of it with you. Hopefully, you'll seek out opportunities to have adventures in the future yourself.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 08:49

Emily Santellanes

areyou scared when walking on the ice?

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 08:50

Emily Santellanes

What is your favorite thing to do?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:46

Jonathan Pazol

For both questions: Fortunately, the ice where we stop is very thick - check out my 10/6 post. The ship's deck is far more slippery, and I have to be very careful walking around on the deck and up and down the outside stairs. My favorite things to do are learning about cool/geeky science stuff, being outside and watching the ice go by, and seeing a polar bear (see 10/7).

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 08:50

Arath Orozco

How is the climate there?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:47

Jonathan Pazol

Temperatures are usually below 0 C (32 F) and have gotten as low as -18 C (-2 F). With the wind chill, it feels colder. I have plenty of warm clothes, so it hasn't been too bad.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 08:52

Ashley Funes

What's has been your favorite testing you've done so far? On what have you tested? Do you get confused with the time and date?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:49

Jonathan Pazol

Most of the time, we are taking water samples out of the rosette - check out my 9/21 journal post. Then, I help put the radium pump over the side of the ship several times a day. That's "fun" because it gets me outside, but it's often dark, cold, and snowy, so it's not always so "fun." The time and date situation is confusing because ship time does not match with "real" time - it's dark during the day and light at night.