British scientists stranded in freezing Antarctic research station

Mail Online ^ | 8 August 2014 | Dan Bloom

[citizen]

British scientists are stranded after their Antarctic base lost power in the depths of winter as temperatures plummeted to a record low of minus 55C.

There is no way of rescuing the 13 researchers from the Halley VI Research Station - which has been hit by a 19-hour blackout - for months until the hostile winter subsides.

The British Antarctic Survey admitted it was a 'serious incident' and has suspended all experiments as the workers heat up emergency accommodation which has not been used for months.

Some of the fallout from the power cut, which happened a week ago but was only revealed today, is still ongoing as the workers face sleeping on the floor of a garage.

But despite the perilous conditions the scientists, 10 English, one Scottish, one Romanian and one Polish, have remained upbeat - and even Tweeted about their ordeal.

Renewable energy engineer Anthony Lister wrote: 'Whilst all the fun was happening at #halley6 (not that it's over) we had the lowest ever recorded temps down here at -55.4. Which was nice.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It does not truly freeze it evaporates, the brown powder that hits the ground is "freeze dried coffee".

Collect it and put it in hot water and "presto!" instant coffee.

[upchuck]

Need solar panels to trap the intense sun on nice days and wind turbines to trap the blizzard winds.

Oh, and a hugh, hugh battery to store the created energy.

[abb]

http://www.jacklondons.net/buildafire.html

To Build A Fire

Day had broken cold and grey, exceedingly cold and grey, when the man turned aside from the main Yukon trail and climbed the high earth- bank, where a dim and little-travelled trail led eastward through the fat spruce timberland.

[citizen]

Now why didn’t they think of that?? Solar panels and windmills lol

[CrazyIvan]

I froze my butt off reading that. Almost as bad as the time I watched Dr. Zhivago in a theater that had the AC way too low.

[citizen]

I’ll take your word for it ;)

[bgill]

Did they not think to have a Plan B, C and D for heat?

[Hot Tabasco]

Sounds like a plot right out of Ice Station Zebra.

...or The Thing

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

Oh, and a hugh, hugh battery to store the created energy.

---

You want to buy a battery built by the good people at “Hugh-Jazz” laboratories.

You know when you've got one because everyone who sees it says “Now that's a Hugh-Jazz Battery!”

[Slyfox]

WDSD?

What Did Sheldon Do?

[I want the USA back]

Studying global warming, eh?

[upchuck]

LOL to both of you!

[txhurl]

Doubt they have a library’s tax codes books to burn... but, you can keep an igloo liveable with the heat from a candle if you’ve insulated.... good luck, guys.

[Perseverando]

Current weather conditions at Vostok, Antarctica - http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/zmw:00000.1.89606

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

They need at least one module lined with thin sheet aerogel, which exists, and is an astoundingly efficient insulator. A sheet just 3 millimeters thick insulates as well as several feet of fiberglass.

http://www.jetsongreen.com/2010/02/aerogel-ultra-thin-super-insulation.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sw1tNeJ0Rw

[txhurl]

I’m curious how they’re still tweeting.

[beebuster2000]

here is the story. faeroe islands.

http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=91731

[rottndog]

Need solar panels to trap the intense sun on nice days and wind turbines to trap the blizzard winds.

I'm wondering why they don't paint the outside of the buildings black to help them absorb heat...

[familyop]

"The coldest official temperate in Colorado was -61."

"According to the Wikipedia, that was in 1985 at Maybell, elevation 5992 ft, population 70, in northwest Colorado. I would have expected the summit of Pikes Peak or such."

There aren't many properly covered temperature sensors up here, and the reporting can be a little off (tourism: of utmost importance). I saw -39 F once at a little above 9,000 ft. a couple of years ago (just downwind from some 14-ers). There are small area cold spots like this here and there on the Range. Only a few miles to the east, for example, it's much warmer. There are no reporting stations here (too far from less costly grid energy).

We'll see if it gets more interesting between 3 and 9 years from now (extended solar minimum so far and possible unusual weather pattern shifts with the deviated flux field). I'll be working on getting a little more power installed (powerlines too far away) and continue work on getting transducers installed.

High winter winds and spraying ice make that a challenge. It's difficult to find time with the many other preparations needed to get through winters. Non-standard, unapproved (re. corporate-government regulations) power, heating and other utility systems will be necessary. Systems and components that work well at lower elevations will be useless here sometimes in December, January and February (useless: forced air, propane for some appliances, low oxygen shut-off switches, standard vehicle coolant mix, standard oil weights, large, passive battery intake and exhaust vents, etc.).

[familyop]

"Need solar panels to trap the intense sun on nice days and wind turbines to trap the blizzard winds.

Oh, and a hugh, hugh battery to store the created energy." "Now why didn’t they think of that?? Solar panels and windmills lol"

“Would you buy it for a quarter?” ROFLMAO! Thx fer the laff, moogs!