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Flying robots revolutionize science in Alaska

February 4, 2015

Studying erupting volcanoes, thrashing winds and burning wildfires in Alaska are dirty and dangerous jobs, but they’re ones that can be done...

New satellite will monitor soil moisture

February 2, 2015

As NASA’s newest satellite made its first orbit Saturday morning, the University of Alaska Fairbanks was ready to track it, receive data from it...

The Sikuliaq crew tests systems in the Great Lakes in February 2014. Photo by Val Ihde.

The polar voyages of the research vessel Sikuliaq

January 28, 2015

The Sikuliaq will dock at Alaska ports early this February, ending the first leg of a journey that started 30 years ago. Mike Castellini will...

Last rocket of the season launches into the aurora

January 28, 2015

At 1:41 a.m. on January 27, 2014, a NASA sounding rocket launched from Poker Flat Research Range 30 miles north of Fairbanks. The rocket arced...

This composite photograph shows four NASA sounding rocket launches from Poker Flat Research Range on the morning of Jan. 26, 2015. A vapor released by one of the rockets is visible as small white clouds. The green beam of a lidar system is visible in the upper left. Photo by J. Adkins, NASA.

UAF researchers launch rockets

January 26, 2015

Scientists launched four NASA sounding rockets in the same half-hour from Poker Flat Research Range north of Fairbanks at just after midnight on...

Lecture to highlight the next big earthquake

January 21, 2015

The very notion of the “the big one” — a singular well-defined earthquake catastrophe — does not apply in Alaska. There are many “big ones,” said...

Left to right: Arni Sigfusson of UAS Iceland, Marty Rogers of the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration; Robert McCoy of UAF’s Geophysical Institute; Sigurdur Hrafnsson of UAS Iceland; and UAF Vice Chancellors Mike Sfraga and Pat Pitney. Photo courtesy of UAF Geophysical Institute.

Geophysical Institute opens office for unmanned aircraft in Iceland

November 6, 2014

The UAF Geophysical Institute now has an office in Iceland. As an expansion of their partnership with Unmanned Aircraft Systems Iceland, UAF and...

A Black Brant rocket is now permanently installed in the green area in front of the Elvey Building at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Photo by Sue Mitchell.

Rocket display adds to UAF’s landscape

October 20, 2014

A 50-foot Black Brant IX rocket now graces the landscape of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. A small ribbon-cutting ceremony in honor of the...

Permafrost tunnel education project receives grant

October 3, 2014

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has received a $1.5 million grant to use a frozen underground tunnel near Fairbanks to...

Successful launch from Poker Flat Research Range

February 4, 2013

Conditions at Poker Flat Research Range weren’t indicative of a possible launch on the evening of Feb. 6, 2013. The skies were cloudy and the...

Poker Flat Research Range prepares rocket for launch

February 1, 2013

Staff and scientists at Poker Flat Research Range are busy preparing for the opening of the 2013 launch window that will allow one NASA sounding...

Photo courtesy of UAF Geophysical Institute.

Lecture to focus on lasers in Alaska

January 24, 2013

With the ability to generate an intense, narrow beam of light, lasers are used in the fields of science, technology, medicine and more. Since the...

A ridge in the sea ice near Nome, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Andy Mahoney.

Lecture: Learn the facts about Alaska’s sea ice

January 9, 2013

Some climate change projections offer swift timetables for ice-free arctic waters. Though scientists are not all in agreement with how immediate...

This photo illustrates emissions settling into the Tanana Valley during an inversion. Photo by Gerhard Kramm.

Lecture to focus on Interior winter air quality

January 4, 2013

Local, borough, state and federal officials struggle with what should be done to address Interior Alaska’s chronic winter air-quality issues. The...

Lecture to explore earthquakes and supercomputers

January 2, 2013

All three of Alaska’s largest cities are threatened by the possibility of large, devastating earthquakes. Scientists are well aware of this risk...

Science for Alaska lectures move to new venue, day

December 20, 2012

For more than 20 years, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has hosted the Science For Alaska Lecture Series and shared...

In early 2012, this quad-rotor Aeryon Scout was deployed by the University of Alaska Unmanned Aircraft team to gather information on sea ice conditions outside Nome Harbor. Photo by Greg Walker.

Stakeholders to set goals for unmanned aircraft in Alaska

September 21, 2012

Unmanned aircraft systems couple innovative design and construction to assist business, science and the military. They can even help ensure...

Lecture: Slowpoke quakes can kick-start faster rumbles

September 13, 2012

After years of tracking earthquake behavior, scientists have discovered there are two unique types of quakes – the fast and the slow. Most quakes...