10/03/2007
The Aurora Australis has arrived. This statement can have two interpretations, or three or seven, but for now I'll go with two. Firstly, the ship the Aurora Australis has arrived and is now floating in Davis harbour. The ship is currently being unloaded and loaded with freight. In a day I will board the ship and try to make myself as comfortable as possible in my cabin which will serve as my nest for the next three to four weeks. It is a strange feeling to see the ship out there, waiting to take us home.
The second and more spectacular interpretation of the arrival of the Aurora Australis is that the Aurora lights have been lighting up the late night sky for the last few days. The Aurora are a glow in the night sky usually only seen in polar zones. Auroras are believed to be caused by the collision of charged particles (e.g. electrons) with atoms in the Earth's upper atmosphere (at altitudes above 80km). As the charged particles collide with atoms of gases in the atmosphere, the atoms become energized. Shortly afterwards, the atoms emit their gained energy as light which causes the glow (tending to be green). Other colours are sometimes seen but so far I have only seen green curtains of light dancing in the sky. This is one of the Antarctic phenomenon I most wanted to witness. Now, I can go home.
