12 January, 2000

The "Long and Lat" of It

Hi everyone! Another trip out to Poker Flat with temperatures down to -43 degrees C. I actually felt rather comfortable out there today. (Could I be getting used to this??) The sun was shining on the horizon (see photos 1 & 2), but had little effect on anything except our spirits! (Stay tuned for details about the GREAT ICE THICKNESS COMPETITION!!)

Speaking of competition, I have yet to receive a 100% correct response to Tuesday's aurora true/false quiz, so the correct answers will NOT be posted today. C'mon all of you science whizzes out there. Wake Up!! Remember: a PRIZE will be mailed to the winner!!

How are you all with LATITUDE and LONGITUDE?? I thought that we could learn a bit about Alaska while practicing Long and Lat. Each of the following descriptions is associated with a town or city in Alaska. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to use the coordinates given below in order to identify the place being described. (This will be even easier than the Aurora true/false!!)

Oh, YES - a PRIZE will be awarded to the first response that I receive that is 100% correct. Good luck!

1. Alaska' "golden heart" city, founded in 1901 as a trading post. 147 degrees, 45 minutes west long & 64 degrees, 45 minutes north lat.

2. Has the state's third largest air strip and serves as a major refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. It is the gateway to the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. 162 degrees, 30 minutes west long & 55 degrees, 10 minutes north lat.

3. Is the most northerly ice-free port in the western hemisphere and is the southern end point for the trans-Alaska pipeline. 146 degrees, 20 minutes west long & 61 degrees, 10 minutes north lat.

4. Alaska's largest city (250,000 people), and is the center of the state's transportation systems. 149 degrees, 45 minutes west long & 61 degrees, 10 minutes north lat.

5. Was the "salmon capital of the world" in the late 1800's. Annual rainfall is 162 inches. 131 degrees, 45 minutes west long & 55 degrees, 20 minutes north lat.

6. The northern-most town in the U.S. and home to Alaska's largest native Inupiat Inuit community. 156 degrees, 30 minutes west long & 71 degrees, 20 minutes north lat.

7. The scenic state capital, named after its first prospector. 134 degrees, 20 minutes west long & 58 degrees, 15 minutes north lat.

8. Established as a tent-city by gold miners in 1898. Once known as "Anvil City". 165 degrees, 30 minutes west long & 64 degrees, 30 minutes north lat.

9. Was once a thriving mining camp. Named for the tundra's chicken-like bird, the ptarmigan. 141 degrees, 50 minutes west long & 64 degrees, 05 minutes north lat.

Send your responses to me at: marjorie.a.porter@snet.net

Dr. Jeffries "catching the rays" at lake 29.5

The blazing sun pulled temperatures up to -43C this afternoon!

How well do you know Alaska? Try my Long/Lat quiz for fun (& PRIZES!!)