Dale Andersen’s Astrobiology Antarctic Status Report: 20 October 2024: Arrival at Novolazarevskaya Station, Antarctica
Keith’s note: Astrobiologist Dale Andersen is heading back to Antarctica – and Lake Untersee for another field season of Research. Dale’s work is coordinated through the SETI Institute. We’ll be posting his updates here. You can read about his prior exploits here.
Dale’s flight to Antarctica was aboard this IL-76TD jet seen just prior to departure. ‘The Ilyushin Il-76 is a multi-purpose, fixed-wing, four-engine turbofan strategic airlifter designed by the Soviet Union’s Ilyushin design bureau as a commercial freighter in 1967. The Il-76 has seen extensive service as a commercial freighter for ramp-delivered cargo, especially for outsized or heavy items that cannot be carried by other means. It has also been used as an emergency response transport for civilian evacuations as well as for humanitarian aid and disaster relief around the world. Thanks to its ability to operate from unpaved runways, it has been useful in undeveloped areas. Specialized models have also been produced for aerial firefighting and zero-G training.” (Wikipedia)
1:46 am EDT 20 October 2024
Dale: The stormy weather has cleared and today we are beginning our journey to Antarctica! The team and will board our flight in an hour and after a 5-6 hr flight we will land at the Novolazarevskaya Station ice-runway. More soon! Dale
Boarding pass from Ultima Antarctic Logistics for the flight from Cape Town South Africa to Novolazarevskaya Station, Antarctica
9:31 am EDT 20 October 2024
Dale sent this message from: Lat -70.822442 Lon 11.646774: Arrived Novo (Novolazarevskaya) ice runway, a beautiful day, little wind and -11C.
Airstrip at Novolazarevskaya Station, Antarctica via Garmin InReach
Dale: We’re excited to embark on a journey of discovery at Lake Untersee, a mysterious and untouched gem nestled in the heart of Antarctica. Our mission is to unravel the secrets of this ancient lake and its surrounding oasis, where time-locked paleolake basins and permafrost hold clues to understanding our planet’s past and future. Join us as we delve into this fascinating world, where science meets adventure in one of Earth’s most extreme environments.
2:51 pm EDT 20 October 2024
Dale Andersen sent this message from: Lat -70.822291 Lon 11.646924 — 2 snowmobiles and the ATV up and running now and three more snowmobiles tomorrow
2024 Preview: Dale Andersen’s Field Report: Preview: 2024 Lake Untersee Field Season
Microbial mats on the bottom of Lake Untersee under a perennial ice cover. — Dale Andersen
Keith: Dale and I have been proving research updates – from Antarctica – since 1996. We think we actually had the first webserver (located in my old condo) updated from Antarctica. More details here: Andersen’s 1996 Antarctic Field Research Photo Albums
Dale Andersen collecting samples and making observations of the microbial mat community in Lake Hoare. (1996)
Astrobiology
