In early August 2013 a strange group of scientists who are hooked on light refraction met in Fairbanks to discuss their techniques and findings of optical phenomena found in nature. The Light and Color in Nature workshop lasted for four days and brought scientists from around the world to discuss halos, rainbows, sundogs and even light refracted by a spider's web. 

Artwork submissions are sought for "Earth, Wind and Fire," a First Friday art show event hosted by the Geophysical Institute GeoData Center. The deadline for submissions of photographs, paintings, watercolors, furniture, carvings, sculptures, stained glass or woodwork is September 6, 2013.

Anyone is welcome to submit items for consideration for the art show. Selected art will be featured during a First Friday event on October 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. and displayed through the month of October 2013 in the GeoData Center.

By nrozell [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu (Ned Rozell)

In warm Alaska summers like this, in which Fairbanks has set a record for most 80-degree Fahrenheit days and Anchorage has exceeded 70 with similar frequency, rainfall has been a phenomenon many people have not missed.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory issued a Volcanic Activity Notice yesterday, indicating the Current Volcano Alert Level has changed to NORMAL for Pavlof Volcano:

By nrozell [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu (Ned Rozell)

On cold winter nights long ago, Harvey Gilliland of Petersburg sometimes woke to the buzz of an alarm mounted on the wall of his kitchen. He kicked off the blanket, got dressed, pulled on his rubber boots, and strolled three city blocks to the building in which he worked.

By nrozell [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu (Ned Rozell)

GI hoodies are available for puchase until Friday, Aug. 23, 2013. Sizes Youth through 4XL are available for $35 each. There are three colors to choose from - pink, blue and gray.

By nrozell [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu (Ned Rozell)