Postcards from the Field

Explore collections of Postcards from the Field, virtual postcards from scientists and educators doing field research in places around the world. The links below lead to postcards about what it's like to do all sorts of field science - from studying animals like sharks and penguins, to exploring ice, rocks, the atmosphere, and the ocean. Scientists explore Earth in many ways. Take a look at these postcards and find out how.
<a href="/people/postcards/vocals/dione_rossiter.html&dev=">Dione Rossiter</a> is a scientist that participated in a research expedition to understand the climate of the southeastern Pacific in fall, 2008 - the <a href="/vocals/vocals_intro.html&dev=">VOCALS campaign</a>. She got to fly a her scientific instrument aboard a research aircraft above a layer of <a href="/earth/Atmosphere/clouds/stratocumulus.html&dev=">stratocumulus</a> cloud that seemed to go on forever.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Dione Rossiter</em></small></p>What's it like to visit the <a href="/earth/Water/deep_ocean.html&dev=">deep sea</a> in a manned submersible? These postcards will share some of that excitement with you. The submersible, <a href="/earth/interior/alvin2.html&dev=">Alvin</a>, makes dives into the deep sea. Check out a <a href="/people/postcards/alvin/photo_album.html&dev=">photo album</a> of images from the dive, and view the postcards below!<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Tim Killeen</em></small></p>A view of Arica, Chile, at the beginning of a <a href="/people/postcards/vocals/vocals_post.html&dev=">research campaign to study climate science in the southeastern Pacific</a>. Arica is near the <a href="/earth/atacama_desert.html&dev=">Atacama Desert</a>, one of the most <a href="/earth/extreme_environments_hot_cold_dry.html&dev=">arid</a> and barren places on Earth.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Carlye Calvin, UCAR</em></small></p>Oh no! It doesn't look good for these Adelie penguins in the Antarctic. Sea ice covers the top of the ocean next to the Antarctic continent and the Ross Sea. Large cracks open up in the expanse of ice as the ice melts which allows whales to get into parts of the Ross Sea that have not been disturbed or fished for months. Find out more about this <a href="/people/postcards/penguin_post.html&dev=">penguin research campaign</a> in December 2006 - January 2007.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of <a href="/bio/jean_pennycook.html&dev=">Jean Pennycook</a></em></small></p>Did you know that deep beneath the surface of the ocean lie hydrothermal vents, which release superheated fluids at the ocean bottom? These fluids are rich in chemicals and minerals that support communities of very <a href="/earth/Life/smokers.html&dev=">unique organisms</a>, such as the bacteria, large tubeworms, and crabs you see in the picture above!<p><small><em> Image courtesy of Tim Shank, WHOI</em></small></p>Observatories are located in some of the most remote places on Earth. Scientists need to be far away from the <a href="/the_universe/light_pollution.html&dev=">city lights</a> to see the faintest stars and galaxies.Check out these <a href="/people/postcards/observatory_post.html&dev=">postcards</a> to see what its like to use a telescope at an observatory!<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Katrien Uytterhoeven</em></small></p>

Explore Postcards from the Field

Postcards from Alvin

Studying the Deep Sea in the Alvin What's it like to visit the deep sea in a manned submersible?  ...Read more

Climate Science in the Southeast Pacific Postcards

VOCALS: Climate Science in the Southeast Pacific For six weeks this October and November, ...Read more

Adelie Penguins of the Antarctic 2008-2009

Adelie Penguins of the Antarctic 2008-2009 Starting in November, the Penguin Science team ...Read more

Tracking Changes in Antarctic Ice Sheets

Tracking Changes in Antarctic Ice Sheets The amount of water locked up in ice sheets is so ...Read more

Postcards from the Observatory

What's it like to use a telescope at an observatory? The Gemini 8-meter telescope NOAO/AURA/NSF ...Read more

Solving Polar Fossil Mysteries Postcards

From October until December 2008 a research team explored below the sea ice ...Read more

Postcards from the Field: Annapurna

Postcards from the Field Annapurna Dare to Dream 2008, is an expedition to Annapurna - the ...Read more

Postcards from the Field: Shark Watching

A Family Expedition Looking for Sharks in the Bahamas This family of five is embarking on ...Read more

Postcards from the Poles: Antarctica

Antarctica is unique. It's cold. It's remote. And for the most part it is covered with ice. ...Read more

Studying Storms Postcards

Studying storms to improve weather forecasts During the summer of 2007 (June to August) a ...Read more

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Research Highlights

Extended Period of Lower Solar Activity Linked to Changes in Sun's Conveyor Belt

A new analysis of the unusually long solar cycle that ended in 2008 suggests that one reason for the long cycle could be a stretching of the sun's conveyor belt, a current of plasma that circulates between...Read more


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