Arctic Research on Senator’s Screen

Published: 4 December 2006

Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) recently visited the North Slope of Alaska site in Barrow. Official portrait, 1997.

In late October, U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), his staff, and executive staff from the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) visited the ARM North Slope of Alaska (NSA) site in Barrow. Site operations staff showed the visitors around the site’s instrument shelter and explained how scientists use data from the site for research on climate change. During a weather balloon launch, the senator proved he is no stranger to atmospheric science as he reminisced about how weather balloons used to be tracked with optical theodolites. Mounted on a tripod with two perpendicular axes for following the path of the balloon, the theodolite was a much more difficult sonde tracking procedure than today’s antennae and telemetry technologies.

The main purpose of the senator’s trip to the area was to look at the science programs currently in place in Barrow, and to tour a proposed hospital site and the new Barrow Global Climate Change Research Facility currently under construction. He was interested in hearing about the types of Arctic studies underway, why Arctic research is useful, and any recent findings, particularly with respect to erosion and climate change issues. The upcoming International Polar Year (2007-2008) is expected to bring additional visiting dignitaries to the North Slope area.

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The ARM Climate Research Facility is a DOE Office of Science user facility. The ARM Facility is operated by nine DOE national laboratories, including .