Antarctica
Bob Wells
On 30th March Kendal Rotarians had an opportunity to hold a penguin egg, courtesy of the speaker Bob Wells, who worked as a physicist in 1969/70 with the British Antarctic Survey, based at 76°S 26°W in Halley Bay.
In those days Health & Safety was yet to come, so it was an icy ladder down to their sub-snow workspace and living quarters.
Halley Bay was a two month voyage away from home, with a three week ice free docking window when everything and everyone for a twelve month stay had to be delivered /returned.
Bob shared his photos of his time in Antarctica - the thrill of throwing a jug of boiling water into the air and watch it freeze instantly (temperatures ranged from a balmy -2°C to -52°C, with a mean of -21°C) to days off watching the emperor penguin colony of about 20k birds circulate to keep warm.
Part of Bob’s role was to record and try to work out ways of anticipating aurora displays and he showed us a photo of frozen mercury - they had to add Valium to keep it liquid in order to measure temperatures.
Bob brought some of his kit along - his canvas boots and wolverine anorak - neither of which needed to be waterproof as it’s very dry down there.
In those days Health & Safety was yet to come, so it was an icy ladder down to their sub-snow workspace and living quarters.
Halley Bay was a two month voyage away from home, with a three week ice free docking window when everything and everyone for a twelve month stay had to be delivered /returned.
Bob shared his photos of his time in Antarctica - the thrill of throwing a jug of boiling water into the air and watch it freeze instantly (temperatures ranged from a balmy -2°C to -52°C, with a mean of -21°C) to days off watching the emperor penguin colony of about 20k birds circulate to keep warm.
Part of Bob’s role was to record and try to work out ways of anticipating aurora displays and he showed us a photo of frozen mercury - they had to add Valium to keep it liquid in order to measure temperatures.
Bob brought some of his kit along - his canvas boots and wolverine anorak - neither of which needed to be waterproof as it’s very dry down there.
