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Antarctic Undersea ROV 09

Hi Michelle, I am really loving your video and pictures! The landscape is totally awesome. I spent time in Barrow and only made it out on the sea ice once. I am incredibly impressed and totally amazed about how well our Inupiaq guides were able to judge the conditions of the sea ice. Quick question. Is most stuff out of McMurdo done in Fahrenheit? I noticed how you were talking about the different levels of alerts with wind. Since I was working in Barrow with an international team we all just did Celsius all the time. Aren't there scientists there from around the world or is McMurdo an American base? Thanks, Betsy Wilkening Tucson, AZ

Thu, 12/03/2009 - 08:09

Michele Cross

Hey! Thanks Betsy! It is a totally mesmerizing place!! I can't bring myself to think of leaving without tearing up...like now
And, I have a whole new respect for those that can judge ice conditions and do it well. I've gotten better after having fallen through once!
If you're talking weather reports, that information is given in both F and C. Scientists around here...and those from other countries always use metrics. I'm getting better but still use the American "scale" when wrtiting as students understand that. I'm sure if I were going to be here longer, I'd be totally converted!!
 Thanks for following!! And enjoy your sun and warmth!!
Michele

Thu, 12/03/2009 - 09:38

Guest

It is really interesting what your doing on Polartrec. I wanna be like you some day!!!!

Thu, 12/03/2009 - 09:51

Guest

Why do you do temperatures in both Celcius and Farenheit? If you have a broad assortment of people, wouldn't it just be easier to use the most common system?

Thu, 12/03/2009 - 14:56

Michele Cross

Hey!! Thanks for your feedback! Maybe I'll be reading your journals from down here some day!! That would be awesome!!!!
Mrs. Cross

Thu, 12/03/2009 - 15:01

Michele Cross

McMurdo weather does both, and I'm sure it's because we have a wide variety of people. The vast majority of people down here are not scientists but are supporting the science that goes on down here by doing a ton of different jobs. This place would have very little science going on if we didn't have people to fix our vehicles when they break...or the 3 Jiffy drills we broke while out in the field!!There are ton of support jobs down here that are veryimportant to this place running!
In terms of the scientific work, it's all metrics.  My team makes me give my water depth guesses in metrics now...I'm getting better about it!!
 Mrs. Cross