GI Press Releases
Fairbanks, Alaska—The Geophysical Institute’s Alaska Satellite Facility will celebrate 20 years since the first downlink of images from an earth-observing synthetic aperture radar satellite by hosting an Open House on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011. The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on campus. 
Fairbanks, Alaska— A free science education resource for Alaska educators is now available online. Developed by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute under contract to the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development, the Alaska K-12 Science Curricular Initiative is designed to help teachers bring cutting-edge Alaska research to K-12 classrooms.
Fairbanks, Alaska— The use of unmanned aerial vehicles will have a new role in oil spill response capabilities in Alaska. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and BP Exploration Alaska demonstrated the use of a three-pound unmanned aircraft, called “Scout,” as a way of gathering 3-D aerial data to aid in oil spill clean up efforts. Through the use of this technology, oil spill responders can complete Shoreline Clean-up and Assessment (SCAT) survey work with minimal impact on the shoreline or critical habitat.
Fairbanks, Alaska— On a two-day trip to the Aleutians earlier this month, researchers from Poker Flat Research Range evaluated the performance of a new unmanned aircraft system that will be used to monitor Steller sea lions.
Fairbanks, Alaska—Nearly one year ago, a repurposed NASA spacecraft flew by the comet Hartley 2. As a result, a multitude of high-resolution images were gathered over 50 days that allow scientists to understand the nature of the comet’s surface and it’s hidden interior.
Fairbanks, Alaska—With an estimated 34,000 square miles of ice, about the size of Maine, Alaska’s multitude of glaciers have a global impact.
FAIRBANKS, ALASKA— Clear skies and fair weather are the only requirements needed for the third and final sounding rocket to launch from Poker Flat Research Range this year. At midnight on April 27, 2011, a Terrier Black Brant will take off, flying through the upper atmosphere to a peak altitude of more than 183 vertical miles. Scientists from NASA will study the rocket’s performance and test a variety of recovery aids packed into the rocket’s 22.5-foot payload.
Fairbanks, Alaska—Each year, humpback whales migrate from the cool waters of Alaska to the warmth of Hawaii or Mexico. But while most animals and people might prefer to spend the mild winters in Hawaii and summers in Alaska, some humpbacks remain in the north during fall and winter.
Fairbanks, Alaska—In early August 2008, Kasatochi Volcano in the Aleutians violently erupted. The green and lush island, formerly the home of hundreds of thousands of seabirds, became a sterile mountain of mud and ash. Scientists thought all life was wiped out on Kasatochi, but researchers found a few unlikely survivors on the island during a visit one year after the eruption.
Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska—Scientists launched a NASA sounding rocket at 11:11 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 in an attempt to learn more about the concentration of nitric oxide in the upper atmosphere from a rocket that arced about 160 miles above northern Alaska.
