By Richars Alida
Arriving at the airport according to the schedule has been the finest homecoming ever after 18 days in the frozen land of Antarctica. After nearly three weeks journeying the bottom of the world, four members of the expedition to Antarctica was home for a hero’s welcome. For this reason, it was exceptional and emotional event and deserves a record in history.
The unwanted weather condition restricted the scientific expedition in Antarctica for about 10 more days than anticipated, so as soon as the arrival day finally came, the homecoming party was prepared. An hour before the plane had arrived, immediate members of the family and peers sat on the black plastic airport chairs watching closely at the large windows on the landing field and glancing at their watches. Down the aisle, 25 students gathered together with instructors and parents, nibbling turkey sandwiches and were about to pamper their teacher with embrace.
Troops brought a lot of heart structured balloons, a bundle of roses and a pile of handcrafted welcome signs bearing images of penguins. Four members of the expedition carry two handbags of meteorites which will later be taken photographs, cut open and experimented and talks about their tales of a mission accomplished. The expedition also included two retired NASA astronauts, a NASA scientist and a Chicago resident who, contributed significantly in funding part of the expedition. The trip leads the group to the Patriot Hills of Antarctica, South Pole and Thiel Mountains though it is not high as the Rockies, yet just as beautiful.
Upon reaching the States, one team member had something to complain about the technology they had brought along. They had satellite phones that were no good. It served to be a reflection of what they could not bring along. Sooner or later he will once again be a professor of astronomy and geology in a populated continent.
Adventures for these people consisted of such trips to unfamiliar territories before. Together with their scientific team in Turkey last summer two of them saw the solar eclipse from the coast of the Black Sea. Over there they actually found themselves in a similar situation as that of their unanticipated stay in the Antarctic. After the eclipse they still could not leave because of a very strong earthquake that occurred at the time. Around 5.5 was the magnitude of the earthquake that they felt because they were 200 miles away from its epicenter.
The best part of the Antarctica trip for him was the camaraderie apart from the blue ice fields and the snow covered scenery which was far less terrifying. This team with a retired NASA scientist was seen to be an exclusive club. But they’re down to earth people no pun intended, very easy to talk to, very easy to be with. No egos here, just pure fun. In Antarctica they rode on snowmobiles, talked, read, and went cross country skiing even during their unexpected series of days.
A 24 year old team member showed reporters and staff members a month ago what she was planning on wearing for the trip and the ensemble included heavy gloves, boots, goggles, and an energetic smile. Upon her return she wore jeans, a sweatshirt, sneakers, and her cheerful smile. Because she incorporated space science in her classes, she was chosen for this Mars like continent. Once in a lifetime was this learning experience for the students. Learning happens when things are tied in. Having an explorer for a teacher means that kids live science and history.
In the same way as students back home conduct experiments on rocks, temperature, and gravity, she did the same thing on the trip. The teacher relayed data to students in 11 classrooms via satellite phone and email. From the questions to the answers, all were rather side splitting. Much variety was to blame for why the answers were funny. Aside from being in a snowy desert, results can changes when you are in a place where temperatures can go below zero and this is what the students learned.
Go to this site for further information on affordable travel to antarctica. Here is further info on antarctic travel.
0 Comments.