News from lake Untersee
Insights into the spectacular work of astrobiologist Dale Anderson & his team
LAKE UNTERSEE
"It's a place few people have ever seen or imagined, far removed from familiar, everyday environments. The weather can be as harsh as the terrain, with winds and blinding snow reaching speeds of up to 180 km/h. For four months, darkness is the only companion, along with the sounds of cracking ice and the ever-present howl of the winds."
Who is dale anderson?
Dale Andersen's work is coordinated by the SETI Institute. The Institute started small, with just one project - NASA's SETI-program . Over the years, other research disciplines have been added to the Institute's portfolio, all united by their relevance to the search for and understanding of life beyond Earth.
As one of the leading researchers in his field, Dale's object of study for many years has been the remote Lake Untersee in the Queen Maud Land region of Antartkis. This lake is covered by a thick layer of ice and contains cyanobacterial mats beneath the surface that simulate living conditions that prevailed on Earth billions of years ago. The findings will help to better understand the Earth's early biosphere and, among other things, gain insights into possible extraterrestrial life.
Working Together
Last year, Dale and his team used our Mavericks expedition tent for the first time on his 27th mission at Lake Untersee. The team of experienced explorers was looking for a reliable shelter that could withstand the extreme weather conditions. At the same time, it had to be quick to set up, as the weather on the unprotected lake could change completely within a few minutes.
Working with Dale and his team is a unique opportunity for us to support the researchers while also receiving valuable feedback on our equipment. With the help of these insights, we can continue to improve Mavericks and hopefully enable many more expeditions around the world!
NEWS from DALE
In his latest blog post, Dale Dale Andersen reports on the progress of his Antarctic astrobiology expedition. After a period of calmer weather, the team was able to set up more tents and equipment and expand the camp. A 12-feet thick ice hole near the camp serves as a water source, which is regularly re-drilled before it freezes over again. On the morning of November 1, there were gale-force winds and blowing snow, but the team began to drill a sample hole in an area of thinner ice (2.5 meters). The camp is gradually taking shape and the team is finding a balance between logistical tasks and scientific work in order to progress safely and efficiently.
If you want to learn more about the work of Dale and his team, check out our first post: Heimplanet on a Frozen Planet and visit Dale's blog Astrobiology.
Click here to see Dale's spectacular underwater videos of Lake Untersee.
