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Simple solutions to complex problems
Scott’s Terra Nova hut has been under threat from the buildup of snow and ice pressing against it. The building was slowly being engulfed by a mini glacier forming behind it.
The Terra Nova hut © Antarctic Heritage Trust
Using shovels and wheel barrows the Trust’s staff would spend up to a week each summer removing a hundred or more cubic metres of snow. This process was unsustainable and each year the buildup of ice would increase.
With the best intent the Antarctic Heritage Trust was losing the battle with Mother Nature. A simple solution to this complex problem was urgently required.
After consulting with international experts it was decided to use the energy sources provided by nature to resolve the problems created by nature.
The first solution was to increase the rate of ice melt each summer by spreading scoria, dark coloured volcanic gravel on the ice. Snow reflects the solar radiation so it minimises the amount of ice that melts. On the other hand, scoria absorbs solar radiation so it increases the surface temperature of the ice and makes more of it melt. The same thing happens if you put a white object and black object in the sun and then feel the temperature difference between the two – the black one will be warmer because it has absorbed more solar radiation.
Scoria outside the Terra Nova hut © Antarctic Heritage Trust
The second solution was to create a turbulent air flow to reduce the snow build up behind the hut. This was achieved with the use of vortex generators, aluminum triangles that are free to rotate and point into the wind at an angle of 15 degrees. The turbulence or vortexes created by these structures as the wind passes across them erodes the snow collecting behind the hut.
The vortex generators © Antarctic Heritage Trust
As I write this blog the ice is slowly melting in the 24 hour sunshine and the wind is eroding the snow.
The Terra Nova hut with the generators © Antarctic Heritage Trust
A great outcome!
TSA Communication
Artist Evan Roth has devised a clever way to communicate with TSA works as you travel home this holiday season. He explains:
T.S.A. Communication is a project that alters the airport security experience and allows the government to learn more about you then just what’s in your backpack. Thin 8.5 x 11 inch laser-cut sheets of stainless steel comfortably fit in your carry on bag, simultaneously obscuring the contents you don’t want the TSA to see while highlighting ideas you do want them to see. Change your role as air traveler from passive to active.
Upcoming: No Pants! Subway Ride
Improv Everywhere has posted a save-the-date for their 8th Annual No Pants! Subway Ride in New York City. The event will take place on Saturday, January 10. Urban Prankster organizations in cities around the world are encouraged to stage their own rides as well.
Human Risk
DC Defenestrators, the Washington DC group from the Urban Prankster Network, just posted a video of a mission from last summer. In it they play an oversized game of Risk on the Navy Memorial world map in DC.
Carrotmob in NY!
New York, you have been waiting, and we are happy to report that this Sunday is the first ever Carrotmob event in NY! Megan Dietz has led a team of volunteer organizers to create an awesome homegrown event right in Park Slope, Brooklyn. We are all about experimenting with new ideas to explore the Carrotmob concept, and Megan’s team came up with some very creative ideas…. This event is focused on getting hardware stores to become more sustainable. They’ve negotiated with Tarzian Hardware to take 22% of everything we spend at their store THIS SUNDAY to make their store more energy efficient. So it’s time to stock up on your holiday decorations, housewares, cleaning supplies or straight up HARDWARE. And if you don’t need any of that stuff, don’t worry, you can buy supplies to donate to Materials For The Arts.
So seriously, let’s see what you’ve got, NY. I’m not going to lie and act like there’s not a huge rivalry between San Francisco and Brooklyn. We threw down, didn’t we SF? Yes we did. There’s a video of it. So Brooklyn? You may be bigger, but do you have the heart? Can you throw down like we threw down? Rise up, Brooklyn. Take this hardware store that has bravely committed to a new level of sustainability, and show them how Brooklyn treats its own. Also, there will be a film crew there, so be prepared to become internet-famous.
Step 1: Get more info at http://www.carrotmobnyc.com/
Step 2: Check out the new Facebook Event, RSVP, and invite your friends.
Step 3: Tell everyone you know who could get to Park Slope in one day on horseback and tell them to mount up, and bring a reusable shopping bag and a boatload of cash.Here’s a post that Megan wrote about her experience planning the event so far…time to get out and support her work, and give Tanzian Hardware an experience they will never forget…
ESA presents European participants in Mars500 isolation study
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ESA PR 48-2008. March 2009 will see two European participants entering a set of modules at the Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP) in Moscow. Together with four Russian participants, they will be sealed inside these isolation chambers for 105 days.
Ready or Not, Here They Come
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At 3:00 p.m. today the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade extravaganza was already in full production mode. By this time Buzz Lightyear was inflated and leading the group, Kermit was just getting his gas, Sponge Bob was up and bouncing, and some dude with a peg leg was up too (looked like Super Mario). There were more waiting for inflation but the whole operation was so organized - down to the labels on boxes - I think they hired NASA consultants.
In fact, the orb of Kermit’s eye echoes the orbs in the Rose Center in the background, which also brings NASA to mind. More balloon pics later. I have to go roll out the crust for the pecan pie now.
Twitter Feed- mankoff: Scheduled to leave at noon. Will sail West through Straits of Magellan, then on to Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas, #Antarctica 2009-01-05
- mankoff: -53.170245, -70.905858 Moved on boat. Got ECW gear. Started unpacking lab. Ready to ship but won't leave for until the 5th early AM. 2009-01-03
- mankoff: 25.804916 -80.289114 Bye-bye Miami. Next stop is Santiago on the way to #Antarctica. 2009-01-01
- mankoff: 40.723972 -73.989334 Oops. Forgot to tag tweet with location to update tracking map. http://spacebit.org/maps/NBP09-01 2009-01-01
- mankoff: In Miami. On way south to #Antarctica. 24 hours to go to Punta Arenas. 2009-01-01
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