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Adaptations of Marine Worms in Antarctica

So, we're introducing a new section to our expedition journal today called "Ask Theodore". With his three weeks on the ice, Theodore has become something of an Antarctic expert and local legend. In the "Ask Theodore" section of our journals, Theodore and his team will track down the answers to some of the great questions we've been getting through emails and in the "Ask the Team" forum. Some of these questions are testable questions, which mean experiments! Stay tuned to future journals and look for Theodore and his team as they answer some of your questions.

Got a question for Theodore and his team? Please submit it here!

Theo hanging around
Theodore just hanging around.

Mon, 09/12/2011 - 06:51

Anonymous

Hi Theodore!Does the team use cell phones to communicate with each other? Do they use their cell phones to call home?
We miss you, Theodore!
Love, Mrs. D'Annecy's class

Mon, 09/12/2011 - 06:53

Anonymous

Hey Theodore!We liked watching the team drill the dive hole in the ice. How long does the hole stay open before it refreezes? Do they drill it again and again?
Stay warm!
Mrs. D'Annecy's class

Tue, 09/13/2011 - 03:12

Anonymous

Hi Mike,I have an idea for an experiment. I know that water boils at 212° and freezes at 32°. If the outside temperature were 0°, could you throw boiling water in the air from a pan, and watch it freeze in midair? I saw pictures of this being done in a magazine. It must have been captured by a high speed camera. The pictures stuck with me as fascinating.
Would the outside air to be colder than 0°? How would the wind speed affect it? How much water could you throw to create the desired effect?
Another idea:
If you boil the water inside and carry it outside, how fast would the water cool down and freeze? How would the amount of the water in the pan affect the results. Would the results change if you transferred the boiling water to a plastic or glass container?
What I would give to try these out myself!
Just some ideas to think about in your spare time. (Ha Ha)
Karen D'Annecy

Tue, 09/13/2011 - 10:13

Anonymous

Hi Theodore,Do you have a library at McMurdo Station?
Love,
James (1st grade)

Tue, 09/13/2011 - 10:15

Anonymous

Hi Theodore,Have you seen any penguins?
You look good in red!
Love, Maia (1st grade)

Tue, 09/13/2011 - 11:48

Anonymous

Theodore:
Have you ever been to North Dakota? It is so cold here in the winter that many cold weather animals could live here. I have been to Florida once to visit my friend Trey Hanson and his Mom, Tracey. Trey was pretty small then. I would like Trey and his Mom to come to North Dakota sometime so they can play in the snow and build a snowman and go ice fishing. That would be fun.
Lynette Fitterer
Mayor of New salem, North Dakota
email @ packer04@westriv.com

Tue, 09/13/2011 - 14:06

Michael League

Wow, we're seeing some great ideas and questions submitted to Theodoreand his team. He's working hard on answering them, so stay tuned and
watch the journals.
Mike

Wed, 09/14/2011 - 12:35

Anonymous

Hello Mayor!
Theodore knows Trey! He is one of my hardest working students! He asks great questions! I'll tell Trey you are following along on our adventures with Theodore.
Take care!
Mrs. D'Annecy

Wed, 09/14/2011 - 17:20

Anonymous

Hey Theodore, its me Jordan I was wondering what you guys have to eat down there?

Thu, 09/15/2011 - 01:06

Michael League

Wow! More great suggestions! Thanks to everyone who has submitted anidea. I am working hard on them. We'll have answers soon. Keep those
great questions/ideas coming!
Theodore

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 11:49

Anonymous

Hi Theodore,Glad to hear you have Ms. W on your team. We saw her looking at the worms through the microscope so we figure that she is getting a close look at the worms. What are their bodies like? Are they smooth or bumpy? Are they covered with anything and what color are they? Please send Ms. W our love and tell her to keep up the good work! Thanks Theodore!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Casserly's Class

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 08:55

Anonymous

Hi Theodore! Did you see the sunrise yet? How long was the sun in the sky before it set again on that first day?
Love,
Your friends in Mrs. D'Annecy's class

Tue, 09/27/2011 - 13:53

Michael League

Hi Mrs. Casserly's class,Ms. W. did geat a good look at the worms under the microscope and here's
what she saw:

I'm going to let you try and answer your own questions. What do you
think they look like?
* What are their bodies like?
* Are they smooth or bumpy?
* Are they covered with anything and what color are they?
Remember, this is under a microscope, so even though the worms look big,
they're actually quite small (about 1 inch long and the width of a
pencil line)
Mike

Mon, 10/03/2011 - 06:02

Anonymous

Dera Mr. League,Thank you for sending the picture of the capitella worm. We were surprised that it was multicolored. We also found out that it has segments. We know that earthworms are good for the soil. Are capitella worms good the ocean? Are you and the scientists learning a lot from the worm? Say hello to Ms. W and Theodore for us.
From,
Mrs. Casserly's Class

Fri, 10/14/2011 - 12:52

Michael League

Hi Mrs. Casserly's class,Sorry it took me so long to respond, but Ms. W. has been keeping me very
busy.
*Capitella* worms are good for the ocean. They help to breakdown areas
that have a lot of nutrients. These could be areas with dead/decaying
organisms, or places where human beings have dumped things (like trash).
Worms are basically one of the great recyclers of nutrients and matter
in the environment.
Yes, we are learning a lot from the worms, although there still is a lot
of work to be done.
Both Theodore and Ms. W. say "Hi!".
Mike