McMurdo Base Archives - Astrobiology

The ONT MinION MK1B performing a calibration test on Hut Point Peninsula - PubMed

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Tricorder Tech: Real-Time DNA Sequencing in the Antarctic Dry Valleys Using the Oxford Nanopore Sequencer

by Keith CowingMarch 22, 2017January 4, 2025

The ability to sequence DNA outside of the laboratory setting has enabled novel research questions to be addressed in the field in diverse areas, ranging from environmental microbiology to viral […]

The South Pole Traverse crosses the polar plateau in December 2008. Using tractors and sleds to transport material and fuel overland has returned in full force, with the NSF purchasing an entire second train of vehicles and equipment with stimulus money. Photo Credit: Paul Thur/Antarctic Photo Library

Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

South Pole Traverse on Track: Use of Tractors to Transport Cargo, Fuel Back in Vogue

by Keith CowingDecember 13, 2008February 13, 2026

McMurdo to South Pole. South Pole to AGAP South. Byrd Surface Camp to Pine Island Glacier. WAIS Divide field camp to McMurdo. McMurdo to Whillans Ice Stream.

Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine

Kevin Hand’s Antarctic Journal 1 March 2005

by Keith CowingMarch 1, 2005September 5, 2026

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 […]

Kevin Hand in Antarctica in 2005 -- Kevin Hand

Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine

Kevin Hand’s Antarctic Journal 8 February 2005

by Keith CowingFebruary 8, 2005September 5, 2026

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 […]

C-141 ready for departure in New Zealand -- Kevin Hand

Analog 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

by Keith CowingJanuary 20, 2005January 31, 2024

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 […]