Journey North Mystery Class Spring 2005

Introducing Mystery Class #7--McMurdo Station, Antarctica
( 77.850 S, 166.700 E)

Greetings from McMurdo Station, Antarctica
	This is a picture of our town, in the background. The man taking the picture is "walking on water"; sea water that is!

My name is Jen Alexander, and I am the NSF (National Science Foundation) Administrative Coordinator. I was stationed at McMurdo Research Station for our summer season (your winter if you're in the Northern Hemispere).

This is what a summer weather report for our town might say.

By the time you read this message, I will actually have departed McMurdo, because I personally was assigned to be living at McMurdo until approximately early February.At that time, our winter personnel start arriving in McMurdo late January to early February. Our winter season lasts from the middle of February to the end of August. During this time there are no flights unless there is an emergency. This means if someone here gets home sick tomorrow and wants to go home, he/she simply can't do that.

What the Pilots Crave!

When pilots fly into McMurdo, they all look forward to a famous desert from here.
Click here for recipe

McMurdo Station is located on Ross Island. I have included a picture of McMurdo Station, and in the background of the picture you will see Mt. Discovery and the Royal Society Mountains.

This is a picture of the main street at McMurdo Station. The Royal Society Mountains are in the background .

As you know, darkness is upon McMurdo now. People are looking forward to the moon rising. It is fabulous. People still watch it rise to see how large and bright it is. It is s large as the sun rising!

Our town's entire purpose is to support the research of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF scientists research many different things from here. A few of these include, the ozone layer, volcanic activity, earthquakes, penguins, seals, fish, and icebergs.

There is an active volcano, Mt. Erebus, approximately 22 miles from McMurdo Station. It is often seen with smoke billowing out the top of it.

Antarctica doesnít belong to anyone. There are no countries here. There is a treaty that regulates which countries may come here and it protects the environment. The United States is not the only country that has research facilities located here. England, France, Italy, the USSR and Australia are a few other nations that have stations and personnel here in Antarctica.

McMurdo Station is the United States' research facility, and it is the largest. In the summertime over 1,400 people live and work here. In the winter the population drops to about 220 people.

The climate is one of the driest in the world. Although there is plenty of snow here, this location actually is on a desert. There are several animals here that you may only get to see in a zoo. Down here, you could walk to the sea ice and see Weddell Seals, Emperor and Adeli Penguins, and Orca Whales. One of the oldest fish on earth also makes its home here--the Antarctic Cod.

The majestic emperor penguins that inhabit Antarctica.

This is a view from Observation Hill, an historic site just next to our town. The cross on top of it is in recognition of Sir Robert Falcon Scott, an explorer of extreme Southern places.

I have very much enjoyed this project and hope that youíve learned something from my correspondence. All the best to you in your summer (our winter).

Your friend,

Jen Alexander