Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/04/2010 - 07:44
Forums
Antarctic Seafloor Ecology

How do you and the helicopters navigate if compasses don't work? Is there a GPS satellite aimed to the south for your use? I'm reading a book now on Shackelton's adventures. Did they use a sextant? I thought you needed observations at night to use one. What did they do when it's daylight 24hrs a day?

How's the SCINI team? Did they get supplies? Were they in any danger?

Bill Burnett, Spokane Washington (Davids Dad)

Mon, 01/31/2011 - 21:16

Stacy Kim

Hi Bill,
Sorry for the late reply here - hope it is still useful! We do have excellent GPS coverage, and navigate using that whenever we are in air. Unfortunately the GPS signal will not travel through water, hence our need to have a special navigational system for the ROV.
Shackleton's group did use a sextant for navigation, particularly on the amazing boat journey to Elephant Island. They were far enough north at that point that there was a sunrise/sunset as well as the rising of various other celestial bodies, which is what is needed (along with an accurate clock and a clear horizon) to determine location from a sextant. During the 24 hour daylight, they could have used the rising of the moon IF they had an unobstructed horizon.
The SCINI team was never in any danger, and always well fed.
Thanks for the questions and your patience Bill!
Best, Stacy