GI Press Releases
Fairbanks, Alaska—A NASA sounding rocket launched from Poker Flat Research Range and flew to an altitude of more than 100 vertical miles at 12:01 a.m. Alaska Standard Time on Feb. 9, 2010. The rocket released 12 vials of trimethyl-aluminum that glowed in colors from orange to blue about 70 miles above northern Alaska. 
Fairbanks, Alaska—The launch window opened at Poker Flat Research Range at 8 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on Feb. 1, 2010. Range staff members will launch two NASA sounding rockets this season that will allow researchers to better understand winds of the upper atmosphere and aurora dynamics.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—An elder and an artist who lend their expertise to a secondary school science program at the UAF Geophysical Institute recently received Alaska Native Visionary awards.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—Staff from Poker Flat Research Range have traveled north to assist fire personnel in mapping the Crazy Mountain Complex fires with unmanned aircraft. The team is stationed at Mile 145 of the Steese Highway, between Circle and Central, deploying the aircraft since Aug. 5.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—The University of Alaska Fairbanks has renamed a 46-acre research site in honor of its visionary and developer, Jack Townshend. The Jack Townshend College International Geophysical Observatory is a network of eight state-of-the-art facilities that collect geomagnetic, seismic and geophysical data to support research at the Geophysical Institute, the International Arctic Research Center, the U.S. Geological Survey, as well as other national and international organizations. The site is situated northwest of Smith Lake behind the UAF campus.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—Researchers can chalk up another accomplishment for the University of Alaska’s Unmanned Aircraft Program. Based on the seal-observing performance of the program’s 40-pound ScanEagles, researchers have learned the aircraft can operate in snow and light icing conditions. This feat enhances the viability of the technology, which has proven useful flying through smoke and fog during previous scientific flights.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska— Forty-two teachers from across the state have traveled to Fairbanks to learn how Geophysical Institute research can be used in their K-12 classrooms. The teachers are participating in STEP, the institute’s Science Teacher Education Program that runs June 8-19, 2009.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—It’s been a long wait, but it was worth it. The Black Brant XII sounding rocket with the CASCADES II experiment launched and flew through an active aurora display March 20 at 3:04 a.m. Alaska Daylight Time. The successful launch occurred after 20 nights of preparing and then waiting to launch the NASA rocket. The CASCADES II team needed very specific conditions and clear weather for an optimal launch.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—When an Alaska volcano erupts, it doesn’t just affect the immediate surroundings; volcanic ash may swirl through the atmosphere and travel throughout the North Pacific region. The ash can impact residents’ health and divert air traffic flying in and around the state. To date, scientists can’t predict volcanic eruptions, but they can forecast how volcanic ash will behave once it’s in the atmosphere.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—Four NASA rockets launched from Poker Flat Research Range during a three-hour span on the morning of Feb. 18, 2009. The rockets, carrying payloads that emitted glowing vapor trails that help scientists study turbulence in the upper atmosphere, launched at 12:59 a.m., 1:29 a.m., 1:59 a.m., and 2:49 a.m. Alaska Standard Time. The whitish trails, some resembling corkscrews in the sky, were visible in many parts of interior and northern Alaska.
