In one of the most remote lakes of Antarctica, nearly 65 feet beneath the icy surface, scientists from NASA, the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno, Nev., the University of […]
Chris McKay
Posted inDale Andersen's Field Reports
Astrobiologists Discover Strange Benthic Microbial Mats in Lake Untersee, Antarctica
Photosynthetic microbial mats forming large conical structures up to half a meter tall have been discovered by astrobiologists in Lake Untersee, Antarctica. This research is described in an article in […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Dale Andersen's Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
In Situ Measurements of Atmospheric Methane at Lake Untersee, Antarctica
Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas in the Earth’s atmosphere, accounting for approximately 20% of the observed greenhouse effect. With an atmospheric lifetime of about ten years, methane levels […]
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine
Kevin Hand’s Antarctic Journal 1 March 2005
Ok, well, this is it folks, one last email and then I’m on a plane back to LA. I’ve been in New Zealand for a bit and I’ve finally had […]
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine
Kevin Hand’s Antarctic Journal 8 February 2005
Hello again from Antarctica, Ok, well, I’m back at McMurdo Station. All went very well in the field – our instruments worked great, we collected lots of data, and had […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Fossils & Paleontology, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Kevin Hand’s Antarctic Journal 20 January 2005
January 17th, 2005 Anticipation Comparisons of New Zealand to Purgatory are probably not that common. Nevertheless, for the past two weeks, this is exactly how it has felt. Christchurch, New […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology
What Is Life – and How Do We Search for It in Other Worlds?
I need a “tricorder”—the convenient, hand-held device featured on Star Trek that can detect life forms even from orbit. Unfortunately, we don’t have a clue how a tricorder might work, since life […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Fossils & Paleontology, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, People Of Astrobiology, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Chris McKay’s Astrobiology Away Team In Antarctic Dry Valleys
Dr. Chris McKay Deploying Environmental Monitoring Station in Colonized Sandstone, Dry Valleys, Antarctica.