Hello to all,
Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Year’s celebrations?
Preparations are almost complete. 18 days to go until my departure. I’ve been very busy in the last couple of months completing training with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). Search and rescue, vertical rescue, quad bike training, boating and firefighting with TAS Fire.
Search and rescue scenarios.
Vertical rescue.
Quad Bike training.
Fire fighting at TAS Fire.
Fire fighting at TAS Fire.
Finishing off my technical and observing training, now officially an aerodrome weather observer providing METAR’s (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) and SPECI’S which are issued under changing weather situations during aviation operations.
I’ve been working with the bureau here in Hobart doing maintenance on components. I was lucky to go on three field trips to some Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). Ouse, which is a small town about an hour north west of Hobart. My second field trip was to Cressy, Launceston and King Island.
Cressy AWS.
And the other day heading out to Hartz mountain national park.
Hartz mountain national park AWS.
At these locations we carried out calibration checks and maintenance on the AWS. It was great to finally see the Space Weather Services (SWS) aurora patrol camera installation at Cressy. Some maintenance on the cam brought it back online so keep an eye out during the evening hours for any aurora action. (Link below). Speaking about SWS, I was able to attend the SWS users workshop in Sydney on 3rd Dec. Was great to meet other scientific researchers, hear the various presentations and even do my own presentation on aurora viewing locations.
The other “Aurora”, the ship Aurora Australis leaves on Monday, which will eventually arrive at Davis station approximately 1 month after my arrival. This will bring station supplies for the winter season and the last of the expeditioners luggage. The next ship is not due until November, my ride home. But anything can change.
My next update might be from Davis station after the 28th Jan. For those who may have missed the first installment, all the blogs are now accessed through my website www.apsphotography.com.au/blogs
Here is a link to some of the training that we did with the AAD and TAS Fire. You’ll also be able to see updates every week. http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/davis/this-week-at-davis/2015/this-week-at-davis-20-november-2015
Aurora patrol camera - http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Geophysical/4/2
Counting down the days until departure…….
All rugged up..... I've got a balaclava to cover my nose so it does not get burnt!
I’d be happy to answer any of your questions, or anyone has any school projects or things I could help with please email info@apsphotography.com.au or through the contact page on my website.
*When sending emails to me, please do not send photos or attachments as the internet is very limited, please send text only emails*
Thank you ~ Aaron.