Hi everyone!  More great questions are coming in.

Students in Ms. Pagoota’s 2nd grade class at Sherrills Ford Elementary asked:

What is the temperature like in Antarctica in January?

What a great question, today in particular!  Temperatures are typically in the middle to high 30s Fahrenheit during the day, and 20s at “night” which is a period of several hours near the middle of the night when the sun is below the horizon (but it does not really get dark).  These temperatures are not too cold, but many days there is a lot of wind, which makes it feel much colder!  Today is one of those days…winds were gusting up to 52 knots (how much is that in miles per hour?).  It was too rough to take out the zodiacs, so all of the scientists were working around the labs.  It has snowed a few times I have been here, but only flurries.

Today was a busy day on station.  In addition to experiments, a cruise ship sponsored by National Geographic was visiting.  The people on board came to visit Palmer Station.  Among them was astronaut Buzz Aldrin - he and Neil Armstrong were the first people to walk on the moon!

Each Thursday someone gives a scientific talk to the station on their research.  Tonight is my turn, and I am talking about work I am doing with krill!  Early in the week when it was announced on the white board in the galley (which is where all station announcements are placed), people started adding the word “krill” to movie titles and songs.  It got out of hand and has taken over the board — see the picture above.  Sometimes it takes little things like this to entertain you in a remote place! The talk is soon, wish me luck!!