Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
CNSC Log Day 1 Saturday 4 October 2008
Garry was the first to arrive at the CNSC as he was picked up by Dianne Howell and Audrey Chislett at 7am on their way to work. Garry stayed in Churchill at a B & B on Friday night. He was immediately put to work after being shown his room by Dianne, the assistant director. He was introduced to Steve a PHD student of Dr Peter Kershaw's and shown how to process spruce samples stored in the freezer since February. His next task was to configure the 5 brand new HP Palm Pilots and load spread sheets used for data collection.
Next to arrive was Marjet Visser from the Netherlands in time for lunch. We sat together with the Principal Investigator Dr Peter Kershaw and discussed our options for the afternoon. He decided to download data on a HP Palm from a nearby environment monitoring station that was a short walk from the CNSC. This was our first experience with the Polar Bear deterrent - a loaded shotgun. We enjoyed the walk in the icy wind so much we returned to the CNSC and then turned around and headed out again after collecting a critical data cable that was left behind the first time. On both walks we got a brief local rocket range history lesson and toured all the rocket launching structures. Peter pointed out the variety of blast doors attached to the base of each structure and described how the connecting tunnels between each tower have degraded over the years and have recently collapsed.
We both had 3 minutes of free time then it was dinner and we were joined by Anna-Lisa Winge from the UK and Linda Gavagan from Ireland who flew Calm Air but their bags went somewhere else. Peter Engbers from Brunei and Andrew Daniels from the UK also arrived by Calm Air with their bags. Following dinner, Peter decided to proceed with the introductory talk even though 2 team members were still on the train. One team member from the UK dropped out of the expedition.
Peter outlined the focus of the Earthwatch project and expanded on some of his expectations for the 10 days. We met Carley Basler, Peters research assistant and program coordinator and toured the research laboratories and other work spaces. Our plan was to meet for breakfast at 7am sharp and start training on operation of the GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) at 7.45 sharp in the large (unheated) laboratory.
John Corderoy from the UK and Kirsty Nicholls from the UK arrived close to midnight as the VIA rail was 4 hours late. John was a returning Earthwatcher who attended the October 2007 expedition at the CNSC so he knew exactly what to expect. Kirsty had a steep learning curve to deal with.
Around 10pm we were treated to a wonderful light show called the Arora Borealis or Northern Lights. A few of us climbed up the steep ladder into the pitch black viewing dome area high on top of the research centre. From here we could clearly see the lights dancing around the dark night sky. Every few minutes it would change as if someone was shining a powerful beam into the sky. Garry ventured outside with his tripod to take some time lapse images as the plastic viewing dome is not optically perfect. Andy was also outside and was on Bear lookout. It was around 4C but was bearable for short periods. The required exposure time was hit and miss. More miss that hit. The images didn't turn out. Have to try again Sunday night.
- comments