CNSC Research Staff: Happy holidays!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Centre, not a creature was stirring not even the ermine…. okay so maybe the candy-pooping caribou and the arctic cat were stirring wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and thanks for following the journeys of the CNSC Science Staff this year!

The carolers were singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” as well – thanks to Sara’s holiday diorama for getting them into the spirit.

Even the gnome got in the elvish spirit with a newly painted hat and song for everyone at Christmas.

While I tried to trap Carley and Sara in the new CNSC bubble for the holiday, they have both headed south (although I’m not sure if it is to warmer climates or not!) for some much-deserved rest and family time. Yes, the bubble for the new building spent a week hanging out in the old building garage to get into the spirit of things to come.

We’ve had a bit of all kinds of weather in the last two weeks but this weekend brought a batch of new snow so we have about 20 cm of new snow to play in. Here are a two weather snapshots from December 10th and December 18th.

Our science activities have slowed somewhat with the holiday season approaching but it’s nice to report that most of the equipment is managing to run with little intervention. Here’s an example of the ITEX chambers from the Rocky site.

Here's a couple of University of Waterloo students trying out their newly acquired applied science power equipment......

LeeAnn and Sara are busy preparing for the upcoming Churchill Northern Studies Centre – Parks Canada Science Symposium to be held in Winnipeg next month. Check the draft program on the website in a few days time for an update on presenters at the symposium (www.churchillscience.ca/symposium). We look forward to seeing many of you there and hearing about the exciting results from field collections in Churchill!

And to finish off the old year.... an update from NSDIC on arctic sea ice extent...