• South Pole Station opening delayed 
• McMurdo breaks 24-year-old weather record 
• New Antarctic Research Series volume available 

Science notebook--News from Antarctica and beyond 

• Rising ocean temperatures affect krill and other marine organisms 
• Will higher ocean temperatures cause antarctic ice shelves to thicken? 
• Antarctic whaling records suggest that the sea-ice cover has decreased 
• 1997 ozone records 

Current Antarctic Literature highlights 

Foundation awards of funds for antarctic projects, 1 February 1997 through 31 May 1997

Emperor penguins, the largest species of penguin at 3 1/2 feet (115 centimeters) tall, gather near McMurdo Station, on Ross Island in the Ross Sea. Of the 17 species of penguins, only emperors breed during the antarctic winter, when temperatures can drop below -50°C. Seven of the known colonies--new breeding sites are discovered each year--are in the Ross Sea area. U.S. scientists have studied these colonies since the early 1960s, lately using innovative techniques such as tiny satellite transmitters, glued to the birds' feathers, to track their movements and wide-ranging feeding habits and depth recorders that have revealed emperors to be the deepest divers of any known bird. Emperors feed on fish, squid, and krill. 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides awards for research and education in the sciences and engineering. The awardee is wholly responsible for the conduct of such research and preparation of the results for publication. The Foundation, therefore, does not assume responsibility for the research findings or their interpretation. 

The Foundation welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists and engineers and strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to compete fully in any of the research- and education-related programs described here. In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the National Science Foundation. 

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research assistants) to work on NSF projects. See the program announcement or contact the program coordinator at (703) 306-1636. 

The National Science Foundation has TDD (Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capability, which enables individuals with hearing impairment to communicate with the Foundation about NSF programs, employment, or general information. To access NSF TDD, dial (703) 306-0090; for FIRS, 1-800-8339. 

The Antarctic Journal has had several changes since its inauguration in 1966 as a medium for information about, and related to, the U.S. Antarctic Program. The magazine belongs to you, its contributors and readers. As always, NSF welcomes ideas for improvement. Comments should be sent to Winifred Reuning at WReuning@nsf.gov (e-mail) or Editor, Antarctic Journal, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230 (703-306-1033). 

The Antarctic Journal invites contributions from members of the antarctic science, logistics, and policy communities who want to communicate their work and ideas to an audience of specialists and scientifically literate nonspecialists. The Antarctic Journal is not peer reviewed. It provides reports on U.S. activities in Antarctica and related activities elsewhere and on trends in the U.S. Antarctic Program. The September 1997 online issue contains author guidelines for the 1997 review issue, as well as information about submitting materials for the new online issues.