Mese: Giugno 2022

The SCAR Open Science Conference that will take place from 1 to 10 August 2022, is SCAR’s flagship event that brings together researchers to engage with one another, exchanging the latest scientific findings in the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean while those outside of the field of research come to find out about what SCAR does in and for the Antarctic. Considering circumstances surrounding the pandemic as well as SCAR’s effort to reduce carbon footprint the organizing committee decided to move the meeting online. Following the SCAR OSC 2020 in Hobart, the OSC 2022 will be hosted in Hyderabad, India in an online format.

 

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), an autonomous organization under the Ministry oh Earth Science (MoES), Government of India, takes pride and pleasure in hosting the 2022 SCAR Meetings. The SCAR Open Science Conference, established 20 years ago, has in many ways become the premier activity of SCAR that supports its mission to promote and facilitate international Antarctic and Southern Ocean science. These biennial meetings have become fertile ground for the exchange of the latest and highest profile Antarctic research outcomes and a place where future collaborations are born. The structure and format for the conference has evolved over the years to enhance attendees’ experiences and optimize impact. Recent global events have required innovation and a re-thinking of the delivery and format for the Conference as most of the world’s meeting places went online. At the same time, SCAR has committed to ensuring that its activities are conducted in a manner that minimizes its carbon footprint by example as a lead scientific advisor on global climate change. To this end this year’s conference will once again be online.

Check also: https://scar2022.org/registration/

Source: SCAR 2022 | Virtual

Friedrichshafen , Germany, Saturday,  June 25, 2022.

Our good friend and Antarctic veteran Dr. Volker Strecke DL8JDX, has sent WAP  some nice pictures of  a great meeting held at HAMRADIO in Friedrichshafen.

There was an interesting Antarctic presentation about DPØGVN activities by Felix DL5XL, Theresa DC1TH and Andreas DL3LRM and a cool meeting of Antarctic Overwinterers..

Picture on the Right: From right to left:

Andreas, DL3LRM, DPØGVN

Theresa, DC1TH, DPØGVN

Felix, DL5XL, DPØGVN, DP1POL

Volker, DL8JDX, DPØGVN, Y88POL

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DL5XL Felix Riess (Pic on the left) during his presentation.

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TNX everyone involved and special thanks to DL8JDX Volker, for the pics

Midwinter’s Day has been observed in Antarctica since the ‘heroic age’ of Antarctic exploration and is a highpoint in the winter season for all those who endure the extreme conditions and twenty-four-hour darkness in the name of scientific research.

On the day of the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sun’s vertical overhead rays progress to their northernmost position, the Tropic of Cancer (23°27′ N). Earth’s orbit around the Sun. At the June and December solstices, the Sun is overhead at the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, respectively.

 

WAP wish all the personnel operating in the Icy Continent a wonderful and peaceful time while waiting the first sunlight  of the season and Happy Midwinter 2022  to the Antarctic chasers friends all over the world

Wishing everyone Hams a new season with more HF activity from the southern Peri & Sub Antarctic sites and the Antarctic Continent.

Almirante Brown 64º 53’ South,  62º 53’ West  is an Argentine Antarctic Base (WAP ARG-Ø2)  and Scientific Research Station named after Admiral William Brown, the father of the  Argentine Navy. It is located on Sanaviron Peninsula along Paradise Harbor, Danco Coast, in Graham Land, Antarctic Peninsula.

WAP has been asked by an Antarctic Hunter’s Ham to have some information about this rare Base, in particular if this can be worked on HF in the near future. Unfortunately we have to say that year by year the Ham radio in Antarctica is getting down and it’s almost a rarity to catch someone on the classic HF modes CW/SSB, but never say never….

Brown Station  was inaugurated as a Naval Detachment on April 6, 1951, and closed in the 1959-60 campaign. Since then it was ceded to the Argentine Antarctic Institute, which reconditioned it to function as a temporary Scientific Station, restarting its activities on February 17, 1965.

As of 2014 Brown is one of 13 research Bases in Antarctica operated by Argentina. From 1951 to 1984 it served as a permanent base; since then it is open during the summer season only.

Not so many Ham radio activities has been made from this Base so that Brown remains one of the most rare Argentine Base sto log . WAP-WACA Directory has only 3 stations operating from  Almirante Brown listed as WAP ARG-Ø2:

LU1ZB 1970

LU1ZE 1970 through 2007

LU/FT5YJ by Mehdi F5PFP who did operate from there on 1st & 2nd march 2009

See also: Almirante Brown, Argentine Station at Paradise Bay – W.A.P. (waponline.it)

Alan Lee, is a very sympathetic person who spent some summer campaign in Antarctica. Al is  also the director of Alinga Constructions Pty Ltd which was incorporated in 1996 and still operates to the present day.

Al’s favorite part of his job at Casey Base (WAP AUS-Ø2) is getting a smile from the expeditioners when they see and experience the finished product.

While describing his Casey experience, Al said: Working in the red shed, the smell of the bread baking always has my mouth water. The hiss of the ski slicing across the snow, sometimes the smell of sea side salty fresh air drifting in, as I travel around the ski loop. From penguin pass in the early evening, as the light slips away and the stars begin to twinkle, Casey/our home beacons, it’s cosy, friendly, there’s a warm dinner waiting and inside things to do. Let’s go then.  

We are often asked how we spend our free time, and do we get out and about from the station. The answer is yes we do! As much as time and weather allows. One of the best activities is to go to one of four huts in our station operating area. The four huts are in order from north to south: Jack’s, Wilkes, Robbo’s and Browning’s.

 

All these Huts & Refuges are listed in WAP-WADA Antarctic Directory, the most complete book WW to have surveyed all (or almost all) the Antarctic, Sub Antarctic and Peri Antarctic sites, such as Bases, Cammps, Huts, Shelters and Refuges. WAP-WADA Directory is updated twice a year.

Everyone can download the WAP-WADA Directory from: http://www.waponline.it/wap-awards_download-rules/wap-wada__wap-waca_directories/, it’s free! 

 

Jack’s Donga

Jack’s is the smallest and sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Swain Island group. The hut sleeps four, and is very snug fit. It also has a detached toilet with a great view which often blizzes in with snow. Jack’s is about 16km by GPS route and is a perfect vantage point to watch the sunrise and sunset.

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Wilkes Hilton

Wilkes Hilton (Picture to the Right) is the oldest hut in our area and comes with the heritage of being originally part of the US Station before Australia took it over in 1959. The huts lies across Newcomb Bay from Casey and is about 10km by GPS route. The hut is the old radio shack, is by far the biggest hut and sleeps eight. The hut also still has a pot belly stove which makes it quite comfortable to stay in.

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Robinson Ridge Hut

Robbo’s (pic to the Left) is the only hut with a deck which makes it hard to beat on a nice day. It overlooks Sparkes Bay and Odbert Island which has one of the area’s largest Adélie penguin colony. It sleeps 5–6 and is about 18km from Casey to the south.

 

 

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Browning Peninsula Hut

Browning’s is the furthest of our huts at about 60km from station by GPS route. The area around Browning’s is spectacular with lots of hills, rocks and lakes. The area is also where we find elephant seals at different times of year. The hut can sleep 6 but the table is really made for 4 or 5 so it’s quite a squeeze, but it works.

 

TNX  Alan Lee, from Perth, Western Australia for sharing his experience  and for the pics of the Casey Huts/Refuges.

Source: This week at Casey: 16 August 2019 – Australian Antarctic Program (antarctica.gov.au)

 

Thanks Alan Lee and credit to  Australian Antarctic Program

Giacomo Bove (23 April 1852 – 9 August 1887) was an Italian explorer. He sailed with Adolf Erik Nordenskiold on the first voyage through the North-East passage, and later explored Tierra del Fuego . Giacomo Bove was born in Maranzana, Asti, Piedmont, on 23 April 1852 to Francesco Bove and Antonia Garbarino. He was the eldest of five brothers. His family owned a vineyard and made wine for sale. He went to primary school in Maranzana and then in Acqui Terme, before being admitted to the Naval Academy in Genoa. He graduated with honors, and was able to serve as a midshipman on the scientific expedition of the Governolo to the Far East.       

June 16th 2022 at 17,00 local (15,00 UTC)
Online seminar

Giacomo Bove. Research of the Northwest Passage, by Maria Teresa Scarrone

Scientific research carried out during the Vega expedition, by Salvatore Puro

If anybody wish to join, please send the request to info@giacomobove.it  to get a reservation

June 19th at Maranzana (Asti) Italy,

The Municipality of Maranzana, the Province of Asti, the Giacomo Bove House’s Museum, UNI-ASTISS University, Higher studies Pole, with the patronage of the Piedmont Region, present

1852-2022: 170th ANNIVERSARY of the birth of Giacomo Bove

Program:

10.30 – Free guided tour of the Giacomo Bove House’s  Museum

2.45 pm – Meeting at the “La Maranzana” winery

Tribute to the explorer’s tomb

Conferences at the “LA MARANZANA” Social Winery

Introduction: Sergio Conti,  Professor Emeritus of the State University of Turin

Insights on: Giacomo Bove: Man and Explorer

Prof. Francesco Scalfari , Anthropologist, President of UNIASTISS

VEGA SHIP Model Presentation / Features by Gian Mario Regge-Medical Doctor

Followed by a toast party, offered by the winery “La Maranzana

At June 2, 2022 the german Deutsche Post did issue a new stamp in the series “For Environmental Protection” with an Antarctic motive and the respective message: Protecting Unique Things Together. Environmental protection, as an abstract concept, is strongly associated with the protection of scenically outstanding areas and unique animal species. Antarctica, a natural ecosystem still largely unaffected by man, is virtually emblematic of these two aspects: It has outstanding aesthetic value, but is very obviously affected by climate change. At the same time, many characteristic and iconic animal species are native to Antarctica and depend on this unique habitat.

One species that represents Antarctica and its fragile balance like no other is the emperor penguin. It is therefore at the center of the stamp motif. It is still represented in strong populations, but scientists can already foresee that the emperor penguin will become an endangered species in the next few years – especially due to the effects of climate change: It depends on stable sea ice to breed. Moreover, if the sea ice disappears too soon, the young will not have enough time to develop waterproof plumage and risk drowning. Like other Antarctic species, the emperor penguin is also threatened by fishing and other human interventions.

These new Antarctic stamps, a first day cover and a decorative Antarctic leaflet can be ordered online.

See:

https://www.deutsche-briefmarken-zeitung.de/2022/06/02/neuheiten-juni-2022-umwelt-und-politik-medizin-und-luftaufnahmen/

https://shop.deutschepost.de/antarktis-gemeinsam-einzigartiges-schuetzen-briefmarke-zu-0-85-plus-0-40-eur-10er-bogen

https://shop.deutschepost.de/ersttagsbrief-mit-dem-plus-fuer-den-umweltschutz-antarktis-gemeinsam-einzigartiges-erleben

https://shop.deutschepost.de/schmuckblatt-antarktis

TNX Dr. Volker Strecke, DL8JDX

Chile’s Gonzales Videla Antarctic Base (WAP CHL-Ø6) is located at Waterboat Point, the low westernmost termination of the peninsula between Paradise Harbot and Andvoy Bay on the west coast of Graham Land. This feature has “island” characteristics, but it is only separated from the mainland at high water and it’s more usefully described as a “point”.

Now there is a Refuge, maybe more than one in the vicinity, but there is a bit of confusion about its name. WAP did try to have an help on this matter by the Chileam Antarctic Institute, INACH – Instituto Antártico Chileno but so far nothing is comng.

Going back to the name of this or these refuges or shelters we found:

Gabriel González Videla Refuge,  built in 1950 near the Gabriel González Videla Base(WAP CHL-Ø6). It  was designated as Antarctica Historic Site and Monument in 1972 as HSM-30 under the proposal of Chile.

Paradise Harbor shelter erected in 1950 near the Chilean base “Gabriel Gonzalez Videla” to honor Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, the first head of state to visit the Antarctic. The shelter is a representative example of pre-IGY activity and constitutes an important national commemoration. 64° 49′ 00 ″ South,  62° 51′ 00 ″ West.

Evidently,  Gabriel González Videla Refuge and Paradise Harbor shelter  are the same  site with two different names.  They are not yet listed on WAP-WADA Directory.

Another one, not listed on WAP-WADA Directory,  is  Refuge Casa de Botes (aka Waterboat Point Hut)

The coast in this vicinity was first roughly surveyed by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition in 1898. The point was surveyed and given its name by Thomas W. Bagshawe and Maxime C. Lester who lived here, in a Hut improvised from a water boat, from January 1921 until January 1922. Although only the base of the boat, foundations of doorposts and an outline of the hut and extension still exist,

Refuge Casa de Botes (aka Waterboat Point Hut), is found at 64º 49′ 25″ South,  62º 51′ 26″ West,  Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula. This Hut, situated close to the Chilean station President Gabriel Gonzáles Videla (WAP CHL-Ø6) was occupied by the UK two-man expedition of Thomas W. Bagshawe and Maxime C. Lester in 1921-22. At the beginning, only the base of the boat, foundations of doorposts, an outline of the hut and extension did exist. The remains and immediate environs have been designated a Historic Site or Monument (HSM 56),  following a proposal by Chile and the United Kingdom to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. Chile and UK Parties undertaking management. Original proposing Party:

atcm35_ww003_e.pdf (ats.aq)  Siti e monumenti storici in Antartide – Historic Sites and Monuments in Antarctica – www.no-regime.com

Time ago, WAP did receive a postcard, clearly showing Casa de Bote Hut, near Gabriel Gonzáles Videla Base. At the light of what discovered and reported , we are still asking which one of those mentioned above, could be the one shown on the picture. Not certainly Waterboat Point Hut coinsidering that documents say: “only foundations of doorposts, an outline of the hut and extension did exist. The remains and immediate environs have been designated a Historic Site or Monument (HSM 56)”

WAP will be grateful if someone can help us to solve this issue, while, in any case both HSM-30 and HSM-56 Huts will be shortly listed on WAP Direcotry under WAP CHL-NEW

Just to complete de puzzle, there is another Casa de bote Hut in Antarctica but this belongs to Argentina! Casa de Bote Marambio Hut (Marambio Boat house)  see http://www.waponline.it/?s=Casa+de+Botes

INACH is a technical body dependent on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with full autonomy in everything related to Antarctic affairs and one of its missions is to encourage the development of scientific, technological and innovation research in Antarctica, the strengthening of Magallanes as a gateway of entry to the White Continent and promote knowledge of Antarctic matters to citizens.

On last weekend  of May 2022, about two hundred people, the vast majority with their families, visited the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) in front of the Benjamín Muñoz Gamero Plaza de Armas in Punta Arenas, as part of the activity held on Saturday 28 for Heritage Day. A great cultural festival that was celebrated at a national level and that brought together various public and private institutions.

For this opportunity, the Polar Institute delivered one copy per family of the children’s book “The Adventures of Isa and Miguel: The Dragon of Valparaíso discovers Antarctica” after delivery of a drawing related to the White Continent made with free technique. Some boys and girls with great enthusiasm attended with their drawing in hand to make the exchange for the story and in other cases they sat with their mothers and fathers at the tables that were set up to draw. When they finished, the participants could paste their works on the entrance door of the INACH building.

Read more at: Magellanic families learned about the history of the Dragon of Valparaíso and the first landing on the Antarctic Peninsula – INACH

Thanks and credit to INACH