MOSAiC Monday - April 20, 2020

MOSAiC Office Hours

Are you interested in MOSAiC-related educational resources but don’t know how to get started? Join MOSAiC curriculum developer Jon Griffith for “MOSAiC office hours”. Jon will be available via Zoom Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 pm – 1 pm MT to discuss implementation strategies, answer questions, and point you to the latest MOSAiC curriculum, virtual field trips, real-time datasets, videos, and other Arctic resources. Please note that this is an informal event and that you are encouraged to come and go as you wish!

Zoom Room link: https://cuboulder.zoom.us/j/4013925454


Monthly Expedition Update

 

MOSAiC group photo

The sea ice around the Polarstern isn't the only thing that is shifting and changing during MOSAiC. As the world has adapted to a global pandemic crisis, so has the expedition. The expedition is currently in Leg 3, meaning there have been two personnel changes so far. Leg 3 participants were originally supposed to swap out with Leg 4 participants in April via aircraft, but the timing and mode of transport for the exchange have been modified out of an abundance of caution.

The current plan is for the next personnel exchange to happen in June via icebreaker instead of aircraft. The next round of personnel will spend two weeks in quarantine before making their way to the Polarstern to make sure the coronavirus doesn't spread onto the ship. Of course, these plans could change, and MOSAiC leaders and team members are prepared to adjust as needed. 

You can imagine how challenging it must be to learn you will be away from your family and friends for several weeks longer than you originally thought - many of us are experiencing something similar as we isolate ourselves at home. Now, you can send words of encouragement to those on board the Polarstern as they continue their work in the remote Arctic! Photo credit: Michael Gutsche

 

Send words of encouragement to MOSAiC team members on board the Polarstern

Read more about MOSAiC in the news

Get daily updates from the Polarstern with the MOSAiC Web App

 


 

Puzzled: Piece Together the Answer

 

What is a way MOSAiC scientists can measure the thickness of the sea ice around the Polarstern without even touching it?

Solve this jigsaw puzzle to find out!

Photo credit: Anne Gold

 


 

#askmosaic#askmosaic: Role Reversal

This week, we're doing something a little different. Usually we ask MOSAiC team members your questions and report back with their answers, but this week we're reversing roles! We asked you: What do you find most interesting/exciting about the MOSAiC expedition? Students from Middleton Middle School didn't disappoint - here is what they had to say:

 

Arctic Fox

"I think it would be amazing seeing all the animals and the northern lights." -Brooklyn

"I think it is most exciting to learn all about the landscape and climate of the Arctic, like the atmosphere, the sea ice extent, hours of day, the wildlife, and so on." -Benjamin

"I find your camps and ships interesting since you can do all your experiments while being mobile." -Colin

"What I find most interesting about the expedition is that there are actual people going to the Arctic." -Cristofer

"The fact that you explore one of the world's most amazing and dangerous places on EARTH! This exploration of the arctic will be one for the history books!" -Malachi

"I think it is cool how you guys/girls are staying up there for an entire year." -Corbett

 

 

MOSAiC scientist looking at plankton

"I love that you're treasure hunters. Not actual treasure hunters, but you search for explanation and knowledge, and that's also a form of treasure. " -Jill

"I find that the most exciting thing is trying to find and look for animals." -Lily

"The most exciting part is the adventure!" -Luke

"I think it is exciting that international governments are finally taking a stand against climate change!" -Marshall

"That there is still so much to learn about the Arctic." -Miley

 

Photo credits: (top) Michael Ginzburg; (left) Esther Horvath

 

Let us know what you think, or send us your #askmosaic questions!

 


 

Remote learning resources This week's featured remote learning resources

Reach the World + MOSAiC

Want to know how MOSAiC scientists use drones to study the Arctic? Check out the latest journal entry and video chat with Dr. Radiance Calmer and learn more about the important role that unmanned aerial systems (UAS) play in research. 

Go to Reach the World's MOSAiC Expedition Page

 

Weekly Arctic Sea Ice Age Visualization: 1984-2019

Created by NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio, this animation shows the age of sea ice in the Arctic between 1984 and 2019. One important change happening in the Arctic visible in this animation is a decrease in multi-year, or 'perennial', sea ice in the Arctic over time. Why do you think this is happening, and what may be its implications?

Go to Weekly Arctic Sea Ice Age Visualization: 1984-2019

 

Fiske Planetarium at CU Boulder: Dome to Home

Not necessarily polar-related, but a chance to transport yourself and your kids to a similarly remote and alien place: Want to bring your students or kids to the planetarium, but from the convenience of their home? Join the Fiske Planetarium's Dome to Home video series - FREE weekly planetarium shows with lessons designed to compliment your school's science objectives or simply engage your child. Each week will feature a different topic for 20-30 minutes. 

Learn more and check out the Dome to Home video schedule here

 

Check out our full list of virtual and at-home polar learning resources here!

 


 

10-minute clock icon MOSAiC Weekly Tracking

Plot the Polarstern

Each week we will provide you with the latitude and longitude coordinates of the Polarstern so that you can track its journey across the Arctic.

Download the map to plot coordinates

Download a larger map of the Arctic for a bigger picture view of the expedition area

Location of the Polarstern
 Date  Latitude  Longitude
 September 16, 2019  69.68 N  18.99 E
 September 23, 2019  72.31 N  26.93 E
 September 30, 2019  85.12 N  138.05 E
 October 4, 2019**  85.08 N  134.43 E
 October 7, 2019  85.10 N  133.82 E
 October 14, 2019  84.85 N  135.03 E
 October 21, 2019  84.97 N  132.73 E
 October 28, 2019  85.47 N  127.07 E
 November 4, 2019  85.88 N  121.70 E
 November 11, 2019  85.82 N  116.00 E
 November 18, 2019  86.05 N  122.43 E
 November 25, 2019  85.85 N  121.35 E
 December 2, 2019  85.97 N  112.95 E
 December 9, 2019  86.25 N  121.40 E
 December 16, 2019  86.62 N  118.12 E
 December 23, 2019  86.63 N  113.20 E
 December 30, 2019  86.58 N  117.13 E
 January 6, 2020  87.10 N  115.10 E
 January 13, 2020  87.35 N  106.63 E
 January 20, 2020  87.42 N  97.77 E
 January 27, 2020  87.43 N  95.82 E
 February 3, 2020  87.42 N  93.65 E
 February 10, 2020  87.78 N  91.52 E
 February 17, 2020  88.07 N  78.52 E
 February 24, 2020  88.58 N  52.87 E
 March 2, 2020  88.17 N  31.02 E
 March 9, 2020  87.93 N  24.20 E
 March 16, 2020  86.87 N  12.70 E
 March 23, 2020  86.20 N  15.78 E
 March 30, 2020  85.37 N  13.27 E
 April 6, 2020  84.52 N  14.38 E
 April 13, 2020  84.28 N  14.97 E
 April 20, 2020  84.52 N  14.57 E

 **Day when MOSAiC reached the ice floe that the Polarstern will become frozen in and drift with for the next year.

Log MOSAiC Data 

What happens in the Arctic as the seasons change? Find out firsthand with real-time Arctic data, provided for you here each week. 

Keep track of Arctic conditions over the course of the expedition:

Download Data Logbook for Sept. 2019 - Dec. 2019

Download Data Logbook for Dec. 2019 - Mar. 2020

Download Data Logbook for Mar. 2020 - June 2020

Having trouble accessing these data logbooks? Email us at mosaic@colorado.edu

 Date  Length of day (hrs)  Air temperature (deg C) at location of Polarstern  Arctic Sea Ice Extent (million km2)
 September 16, 2019  13.25  High: 10   Low: 4.4  3.9
 September 23, 2019  12.35  High: 6     Low: -1  4.1
 September 30, 2019  9.1  -4.7  4.4
 October 4, 2019**  6.27  -13.0  4.5
 October 7, 2019  3.05  -8.2  4.6
 October 14, 2019  0  -14.7  4.8
 October 21, 2019  0  -12.8  5.4
 October 28, 2019  0  -18.3  6.8
 November 4, 2019  0  -18.9  8.0
 November 11, 2019  0  -25.5  8.7
 November 18, 2019  0  -10.7  9.3
 November 25, 2019  0  -18.4  10.0
 December 2, 2019  0  -26.6  10.4
 December 9, 2019  0  -23.1  11.2
 December 16, 2019  0  -19.2  11.8
 December 23, 2019  0  -26.9   12.2
 December 30, 2019  0  -26.4   12.6
 January 6, 2020  0  -28.0  13.0
 January 13, 2020  0  -30.7  13.1
 January 20, 2020  0  -27.1  13.6
 January 27, 2020  0  -22.5  13.8
 February 3, 2020  0  -28.8  14.1
 February 10, 2020  0  -26.2  14.5
 February 17, 2020  0  -31.9  14.4
 February 24, 2020  0  -24.0  14.6
 March 2, 2020  0  -35.5  14.8
 March 9, 2020  0  -37.9  14.7
 March 16, 2020  10.5  -27.5  14.7
 March 23, 2020  16.5  -28.7  14.4
 March 30, 2020  24  -28.6  14.0
 April 6, 2020  24  -18.2  13.7
 April 13, 2020  24  -25.8  13.6
 April 20, 2020  24  -10.2  13.3

*Note: We expect data to fall within the following ranges: Length of day, 0-24 hours; Temperature, -40 to 14 degrees C; Sea ice extent, 3-15 million km2

**Day when MOSAiC reached the ice floe that the Polarstern will become frozen in and drift with for the next year.


Is there something you'd like to see in MOSAiC Monday?  Let us know!

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New to MOSAiC Monday? Check out past editions!

Browse more expedition-related educational resources, videos, and blogs

Email us! mosaic@colorado.edu


Next Week
  • Arctic adaptations
  • Check in with the Polarstern