The Kartverket antennas are pointing at different points in space, trying to receive radio radiation from objects called “quasars”. Those quasars are very far away and very stable in their own movement (they do not move). That is why they are considered fixed points. During a measurement, several antennas around […]
The Amundsen mast is one of the cultural heritages objects in and around Ny-Ålesund. Back in the days, this big pole was used as an anchor point for the zeppelin in which Roald Amundsen tried and succeeded to reach the North Pole in 1926. He could not enjoy his winner […]
The research vessel “Helmer Hanssen” from the University of Tromsø is in Ny-Ålesund at the moment, doing marine biological research in the fjord. A nice extra spot of light in the harbour and on the water in those dark winter months.
Time is a trap. It goes too fast. In this article I will reflect back on 2021 from a Ny-Alesund life and science point of view. I will link plenty of old articles in the text, but there will be new information / pictures as well. Let’s go. January–mid March: […]
Last weekend, the moon set. It sank behind the horizon in its red glory and will be back in around 1,5 weeks from now. Since the moon is gone, we have been lucky with plenty of auroras. Full days long, auroras were visible. During daytime on Svalbard, auroras are often […]
Merry Christmas from 79°N. On his way back to the North Pole, Santa passed by yesterday evening in Ny-Ålesund. At the end of the evening he was sligthly tipsy, so his travels got a bit delayed. Luckily we were his last stop and like this, Rudolph could have a little […]
Today, 16:59h. The sun is the furtherst away from the Northern Hemisphere it will be this year. It’s on its way back now. The light will return, spring will come. A new astronomical year has started. Living in the darkness has been surprisingly easy so far. The regular daily rhythm […]
The green laser coming out of the AWIPEV observatory is literally one of the highlights of town in the polar night during clear sky. But we are not just shooting it in space for fun. Inside the observatory, there is a telescope that catches the laser light that is being […]
Last Tuesday, a fresh pack of 60 cm of snow reached town. Today’s temperatures reached -18°C. Winter has come and is not leaving for the next few months. 60 cm of fresh snow sounds fun and is fun, but is also a lot of work. Roads need to be cleaned, […]
Last week Tuesday and Wednesday were two stormy days. Just going out for dinner felt like an expedition. In the darkness, with snow blowing in the face, barely seeing anything. Your hands getting cold after two seconds without gloves. Driving a car suddenly became quite challenging too. Although it is […]