Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 12/24/2010 - 10:25

Hello! My name is Morgan Guymon, and I've been following the expedition! I was wondering, do you have to be a scientist or a teacher to go down an observation tube?

Heidi Roop

Hi Morgan! Back in McMurdo, where the ice tube was located, anyone who went to an outdoor safety lecture was allowed to go into the observation tube. Before going to the tube everyone needed to check out with the Fire Station, and take a radio. When you returned you needed to check back in with the Fire Station. When I visited the observation tube, several people including scientists, mechanics, pilots, cooks, etc. were all there to take a look. I guess lots of folks are curious about what is like under the sea ice. Unfortunately, the tube is currently closed due to the instability of the sea ice.