Last week we had a couple of clear skies at night without a moon. The Milky Way greeted us brightly. Here is the view atop the glacier where you can see Mount Williams (left) on Anvers Island, home of Palmer Station, and the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula, part of the Antarctic Continent. Breathtaking!

Many of us (including me) are leaving within the week. Sad to leave this place, but glad to be heading home.

Tiego and I had so much fun to chat with so many of you! We have so many bright students - it is so inspiring!

Thank you National Science Foundation (NSF) for funding my project and the US Antarctic Program (managed by the NSF) which supports the science and education in Antarctica. I am particularly grateful for the Antarctic Support Contractors on station for their support of the science here, many of whom have become close friends.

Outreach event for Elementary, Middle and High Schools (but anyone can join!).
Please share widely! Back by popular demand. I will be hosting this twice to accommodate different time zones.

This week we are starting a lab experiment where one set of samples experiences an average January day (in terms of light and temperature) and the other set experiences the same light and temperature cycles, but 2 degrees Celsius higher. This warming experiment will reveal who the first responders are to warming, but also, who prefers the cooler conditions. All the samples will be sent to Marshall university where Dr. Alicia Purcell will look at the responses of the soil and moss microbiomes to warming. 

We've been busy in the field collecting samples and then processing them in the lab for a major lab experiment. A beautiful sunset at the end of the day is the perfect ending of a productive day.

Icebergs can prevent ships from tying up to our pier.

Another terrific visit with the MS Oosterdam. Sharing our science and support is a privilege and fun to do.
Thank you for hosting us! And thank you Captain Beirnaert and chef Thomas for the stroopwafels and speculaas!

Tiego and I measured how much CO2 is being taken up by life in recently deglaciated soil (the retreating glacier is shown behind us). Importantly, we also measure how much CO2 is being released. How does warming affect these two opposing fluxes? We'll find out!