National Institute Of Polar Research Research Articles

The State of IPY Data Management: The Japanese Contribution and Legacy

Diverse data accumulated by many science projects make up the most significant legacy of the International Polar Year (IPY 2007-2008). The Polar Data Center (PDC) of the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) has a responsibility to manage these data for Japan as a National Antarctic Data Center (NADC) and as the World Data Center (WDC) for Aurora. During the IPY, a significant number of multidisciplinary metadata records were compiled from IPY endorsed projects with Japanese activity. A tight collaboration was established between the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD), the Polar Information Commons (PIC), and the newly established World Data System (WDS).

Climatic effects on breeding seabirds of the northern Japan Sea

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 454:183-196 (2012) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09627 Climatic effects on breeding seabirds of the northern Japan Sea Yutaka Watanuki1,*, Motohiro Ito1,2 1Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato-cho 3-1-1, Hakodate 041-8611, Japan 2Present address: National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan *Email: ywata@fish.hokudai.ac.jp ABSTRACT: Seabirds as marine top predators have been put forth as reliable indicators of ecosystem change. To understand climate−ecosystem change in the northern Japan Sea, we studied the timing of breeding, chick diets, and breeding success of 3 seabird species almost continuously over 26 yr on Teuri Island, 1984 through 2009. Key climate drivers in this region are: (1) westerly winter winds that cool the atmosphere and the ocean and (2) the northward flowing Tsushima Current (TC) that warms the ocean in late spring and summer. Chick diet showed decadal changes in coastal pelagic fish, with a switch from sardine Sardinops melanostictus to anchovy Engraulis japonicus in the late 1980s corresponding to intensification of the TC. There were no long-term trends in the timing of breeding or breeding success of rhinoceros auklet Cerorhinca monocerata and Japanese cormorant Phalacrocorax filamentosus, but these variables were affected by interannual variation in spring air and sea temperatures, as well as the timing of TC warm water intrusions within the foraging range (~60 km from the colony) of the birds. Effects include: (1) freezing of the breeding grounds by winter winds limiting access to nesting grounds and (2) availability of anchovy and sandlance Ammodytes personatus affecting chick diet, growth, and breeding success. We did not detect relationships between chlorophyll a concentrations and the availability of prey species. The timing and success of black-tailed gulls Larus crassirostris, which fed mainly on sandlance, however, could not be explained by these factors. Our study indicates potential links between the Pacific Decadal Oscillation index and the flow rate of the TC, and between the Arctic Oscillation index and local wind stress, and suggests that broad-scale atmospheric pressure fields influence local weather, oceanography, and seabirds indirectly through changes in prey availability. KEY WORDS: Auklet · Breeding performance · Chick diet · Cormorant · Gull · Prey availability · Regime shift · Timing of breeding Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Watanuki Y, Ito M (2012) Climatic effects on breeding seabirds of the northern Japan Sea. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 454:183-196. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09627 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 454. Online publication date: May 21, 2012 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2012 Inter-Research.

Evaluation of Long-Period Detectability of Teleseismic Events at Syowa Station, Antarctica

Phase identification procedures for teleseismic events at Syowa Station (69.0°S, 39.6°E; SYO), East Antarctica have been carried out since 1967 after the International Geophysical Year (IGY; 1957-1958). Since the development of INTELSAT telecommunication link, digital waveform data have been transmitted to the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) for the utilization of phase identification. Arrival times of teleseismic phases, P, PKP, PP, S, SKS have been detected manually and reported to the International Seismological Centre (ISC), and published by “JARE Data Reports” from NIPR. In this paper, hypocentral distribution and time variations for detected earthquakes are demonstrated over the last four decades in 1967-2010. Characteristics of detected events, magnitude dependency, spatial distributions, seasonal variations, together with classification by focal depth are investigated. Besides the natural increase in the occurrence of teleseismic events on the globe, a technical advance in the observing system and station infrastructure, as well as the improvement of procedures for reading seismic phases, could all combine to produce the increase in detection of events in last few decades. Variations in teleseismic detectability for longer terms may be possible by association with the meteorological environment and seaice spreading area around the Antarctic continent. Recorded teleseismic and local seismic signals have sufficient quality for many analyses on dynamics and structure of the Earth as viewed from Antarctica. The continuously recorded data are applied not only to lithospheric studies but also to the Earth’s deep interiors, as a significant contribution to the Federation of Digital Seismological Networks (FDSN) from high southern latitude.

Visible and near-infrared spectral survey of Martian meteorites stored at the National Institute of Polar Research

Martian meteorite chip samples stored at the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) have been studied by a visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectrometer. Measured spots are about 3 × 2 mm in size, which are clearly marked on photographs of the meteorite chips. Rock types and approximate mineral compositions of studied meteorites have been identified or obtained through this spectral survey with no sample preparation required. This study demonstrates that this kind of spectral survey is effective in classifying and describing Marian meteorites, and that such a VNIR spectrometer on a Mars rover would be useful for identifying these kinds of unaltered Mars rocks. Further studies which utilize a smaller spot size are desired for improving the accuracy of identifying the clasts and mineral phases in the rocks.

Application of real-time PCR array to the multiple detection of antibiotic resistant genes in glacier ice samples

Glacier environments harbor cold-tolerant bacteria (Amato et al., 2007; Christner et al., 2003; Segawa et al., 2005). However, a variety of bacteria such as soil and enteric bacteria have been detected from these highly oligotrophic and psychrophilic environments (Segawa et al., 2005; Sheridan et al., 2003). The origin of these bacteria remains unknown. These bacteria may have been supplied at least in part from animals by means such as bird droppings (Sjolund et al., 2008). There are other plausible transmissions, such as local and global atmospheric circulation. In the case of the global atmospheric circulation, a glacier environment may receive bacteria originating from hu-man industrial activities, although most glaciers are located at a distance from such sites of human activi-ties. Emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria has been considered as a human impact on the environment (Cabello, 2006; Chee-Sanford et al., 2001; Goni-Urriza et al., 2000). The prevalence of antibiotic resistant genes in the glacier environment can be used as an indicator of human impact on the global environment. In this experiment, the prevalence of antibiotic resis-tant genes in glacier ice samples taken from various locations in the northern hemisphere (Alaska, Central Asia) and Antarctica were evaluated by real time PCR array approach using a Taqman probe system. We collected samples of the glacial ice (1 cm in depth) or cryoconite hole samples (Table 1) using a sterilized stainless steel scoop or sterilized syringe, re-spectively. The samples were stored in 50-ml sterile plastic conical tubes (Iwaki, Tokyo). All samples were kept frozen and transported to the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan or National Institute of Polar Re-search, Japan. Bacterial DNA was extracted as follows within a Class 100 Clean bench (Sanyo, Tokyo, Model MCV-131BNS) at the National Institute of Polar Research (Tokyo). Ice samples were melted and a portion (1‒

ASM Sci. J., Vol. 3, No. 2, 2009

First I would like to thank the Editorial Board of the ASM Sc. J. for inviting me to be their Guest Editor for this special issue of theJournal devoted to polar sciences. As the Director of the Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme (MARP) it is a pleasure to see howthe Programme has grown. When the idea of establishing the Programme was undertaken by the Task Force on Antarctic Research underthe Academy in 1998, one of the main worries of the members was the sustainability of the Programme. This sustainability is supportedon two pillars: one is the continued funding of research by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI); and the otheris the support of the researchers participating in the programme from all the universities and research institutions in Malaysia. MARP’ssuccess is very much dependent on these two pillars and to date I have to commend MOSTI and the researchers for the support that theyhave given.In trying to develop polar research, one of the major constraints that Malaysian scientists face is the lack of local logistics support.Malaysia has no base to embark on its own scientific programme in Antarctic or the Arctic. As such, we are very much dependent on thegoodwill of our international partners. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our international partners, namely Antarctica NewZealand, Australian Antarctic Division, British Antarctic Survey, Japanese National Institute of Polar Research, Korean Polar ResearchInstitute, Instituto Antartico Argetino, Instituto Antarctico Chile, Instituto Antarctico Equador, South Africa National Antarctic Programand National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research of India. We are also thankful to the Scientific Committee of Antarctic Researchand Asian Forum on Polar Sciences for all the support and co-operation given to enable our scientists to embark on polar research.It is with pride that I note that our scientists and their post-graduate students have embraced our polar research initiatives withso much enthusiasm. Some spent more than two months away from their loved ones in order to undertake field work in the extremeenvironment of Antarctic. They had to assimilate different cultures and food, and for some post-graduate students the field trip was theirfirst trip overseas. However, most of them would love to be given a second and maybe a third chance to go back to Antarctic for theirfield work. MARP is lucky to have such an enthusiastic group of scientists and young researchers.However, in pursuing their love of science some have paid a higher price than others. I would like to record our condolences to thefamily of the late Omar Pozan who died while undergoing training (diving) in Tasmania for a scientific expedition.As in any scientific venture, the proof of success is in the scientific output i.e. publications and post-graduate training. In this area,MARP has been able to produce three refereed conference proceedings and a number of papers in refereed international journals suchas Polar Biology and Journal of Geophysical Research. We have trained three PhD students and there are now more than fifty postgraduates pursuing research under MARP. A testimony to this active research is that the Academy of Sciences Malaysia has kindlyundertaken to produce this special issue of their Journal devoted to polar research undertaken under the MARP and our internationalcollaborators. This issue is a demonstration of how far polar sciences in Malaysia has advanced and can be used as a milestone of ourprogress. It is my hope that R&D in Malaysian polar sciences will be further expanded and deepened so that Malaysia will be consideredas a leader in certain niche areas such as microbiology, biodiversity and tropical-polar interactions in the ocean and atmosphere. Alreadysome of our researchers are active in helping polar research developments in the field of microbiology for some of our Latin Americanpartners. We are now an active member of SCAR committee on capacity building, education and training, and helping the developingcountries in the SCAR community. I am sure this issue will not only be of interest to the Malaysian but also the international communityof polar scientists. Finally, I would like to thank again the Academy of Sciences for undertaking this special issue on Malaysian polarsciences in their prestigious Journal; acknowledge the 22 reviewers for their evaluation of the 13 articles, and Kanesan Solomalai forediting and finalizing the editorial processing of this issue.

High Performance Germanium Gamma-Ray Spectrometer on Lunar Polar Orbiter SELENE (KAGUYA)

Research Institute for Science and Engineering., Waseda Univ., Japan College of Health Science, Saitama Prefectural University,, Japan Inst. of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA, Japan Nippon Medical School, Japan Dep. of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan Univ., Japan National Institute of Polar Research, Japan Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Japan Research Institute, Chiba Institute of Technology, Japan Centre d’Etude Spatiale des Rayonnements,Toulouse, France Dep. of Meteorites, Univ. of New Mexico, USA *nhasebe@waseda.jp

Development of airglow oh temperature imager for mesopheric study

In this work we present a methodology to calculate the temperature in the upper mesosphere using a spectral OH (6-2) airglow temperature imager. The temperature imager system consists of a CCD camera and an optical head (including an interferometer filter, Fresnel lens and objective lens) which was developed by Airglow group of INPE in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The instrument calibration was performed at National Institute of Polar Research, Japan, using a 2 m diameter integrating sphere. The airglow test observations were carried out at Cachoeira Paulista Observatory (22.7ºS), Brazil, from March to May 2005, and the results were compared to that obtained by a tilting-filter zenith photometer (MC2) at the same place. Some results are presented and compared with MSISE-90 atmospheric temperature model, which showed a good agreement in the nocturnal mean values, while exhibiting a different nocturnal variability.

Report on workshop "Present status and future plans for Solid Earth science in the Arctic region"

Abstract: A workshop on Present status and future plans for Solid Earth science in the Arctic region” was held on 23 rd May 2005, at the National Institute of Polar Research with 19 participants. The meeting provided the opportunity to review recent Earth Science activities in the Arctic region, followed by the discussion concerning prospects on future plans. The first section of the workshop covered present status on the geophysical observations, such as seismic and gravimetric monitoring. Scientific investigation and logistic infrastructure of the international station, such as Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, are introduced for future utilization by participants. Next, there are several topics concerning heterogeneous structure and dynamics in interior of the Earth, viewed from Arctic region. Useful discussions were made involving time variations in gravimetric values associated with Post Glacial Rebound, together with seismic structure in depth range between the Inner Core and the Lower-most Mantle. Moreover, the most suitable geometrical position of new permanent stations in the Arctic region, by taking into consideration the density of seismic ray paths from global teleseismic events. Finally, several international cooperative activities are introduced with regard to the programs of International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008. 2

Seasonal variations in oxygen isotope ratios of daily collected precipitation and wind drift samples and in the final snow cover at Dome Fuji Station, Antarctica

Freshly fallen snow, drifting snow, and surface snow samples were collected between February 1997 and January 1998 at the Dome Fuji Station (77.19°S, 39.42°E, 3,810 meters above sea level (MASL)) located approximately 1000 km from the nearest coast. All the collected samples were analyzed for δ18O at the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) at Tokyo. The temperature at the top of the boundary layer (TBL) was measured at least twice a week. As expected, all collected samples show seasonal variations with higher values in summer and lower values in winter. However, the relationship with the surface air temperature (Ta) was found to be different for each species of samples. During the sampling year, the surface air temperature, which was measured using the classical methods, was found to be about 3°C higher than the mean surface temperature Ts, defined as the firn layer temperature at 10 m depth. One important process that leads to differences between the freshly deposited snow and the surface firn layer is the sublimation of air moisture during the winter months. Remarkable progress has recently been made to explain the δ2H and δ18O distribution patterns for Polar Regions with GCMs. Detailed observations at the Dome Fuji station reveal that δ18O values for the individual snowfalls are only partly explained by the improved Rayleigh type models, and that the processes after snow deposition also have to be taken into account.

Local Seismic Activity around the Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica

The seismic monitoring at Syowa Station (69 o S, 39 o E: SYO), located on the continental margin of the Eastern Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica, began in 1959. Phase readings of the earthquakes have been reported since 1967 and have been annually published as part of the Data Report Series of the National Institute of Polar Research since 1968. An observation of a tripartite seismic network was carried out at SYO for a period of three years from 1987 to 1990. Epicenters of local earthquakes were determined for the first time by using the array network for the three-year period. Many different types of earthquakes, such as the mainshock-aftershock type, twin earthquake, earthquake swarms, etc., were detected during the period. After this, local events around SYO have been detected empirically from their waveforms recorded on seismograms. The seismic activity for the period of 1987-1990 was higher than that of the following decade. Earthquake epicenters, occurring during that period, were highly localized along the coast and in the central part of the Lutzow-Holm Bay (LHB). Nine local earthquakes, recorded during the period of 1990-1996, showed many different types of events. The seismicity for the period of 1990-1996 was very low and the magnitudes ranged from 0.1 to 1.4. The locations of some events were determined by using the single station method for SYO, i.e., using the particle motions of the initial phase and S-P time. Two local events were detected in 1998 and one event in 2001. It would be estimated that the stress concentration was related to the glacial rebound around the LHB. Afterwards, we will be able to eventually examine the rela- tionship between the seismicity around Antarctica and deglacial phenomena such as crustal uplift, and sea level change within the earth environmental system.

Crustal Uplift and Microseismic Activity around Syowa Station, Antarctica

There is a great deal evidence concerning crustal uplift, after deglaciation, in the vicinity of Syowa Station from tide gauge data, seismic evidence, raised beaches, marine terraces, etc. The geomorphological and tide gauge data show that the crustal uplift is going on around Syowa Station. Seismic observations at Syowa Station started in 1959. Phase readings of the earthquakes have been published by National Institute of Polar Research once a year since 1968, as one of the Data Report Series. Eighteen local earthquakes were detected on short period seismograms at Syowa Station in 1990-2000. The seismicity during the period from 1990 to 2000 was lower than that from 1987 to 1989 when epicenters of local earthquakes were determined by tripartite seismic array. Local earthquake activity corroborates the crustal uplif4 which is an intermittent phenomenon. Sea level falling of 4.5 mm/y was found using data in 1975-1992. This felling rate is consistent with the geomorphological data. A route for repeat leveling survey was established in East Ongul Island. No appreciable change of sea level was observed for the last 14 years. A dynamics of the crustal uplift around Syowa Station has been discussed using geomorphological data, ocean tide, and seismic and leveling data, which is estimated to be an intermittent phenomenon. When local seismic activity is high, the crustal uplift is estimated to be going on. On the contrary, the crustal uplift is in dormancy when the local seismicity is low. Repeated leveling measurements suggest no significant changes, which further supports the idea that the crustal uplift in offshore is not a tilt trend movement but a block movement.

Scientific ballooning in Japan

Activities in scientific ballooning in Japan during 1998–1999 are reported. The total number of scientific balloons flown in Japan in 1998 and 1999 was sixteen, eight flights in each year. The scientific objectives were observations of high energy cosmic electrons, air samplings at various altitudes, monitoring of atmospheric ozone density, Galactic infrared observations, and test flights of new type balloons. Balloon expeditions were conducted in Antarctica by the National Institute of Polar Research, in Russia, in Canada and in India in collaboration with foreign countries' institutes to investigate cosmic rays, Galactic infrared radiation, and Earth's atmosphere. There were three flights in Antarctica, four flights in Russia, three flights in Canada and two flights in India. Four test balloons were flown for balloon technology, which included pumpkin-type super-pressure balloon and a balloon made with ultra-thin polyethylene film of 3.4 μm thickness.

Special Issue: The Kobe meteorite consortium—Preface

tin No. 84, 2000).Two large fragments, Kobe C (14.5 g) andKobe E (3.7 g) were provided to the present au-thor on loan from Mr. Hirata for scientific re-search. Kobe C is the third largest of the recov-ered Kobe meteorite fragments (see Fig. 3) andwas partially covered by a fusion crust and whiteceiling material (later scraped away) adhered tothe fusion crust. Kobe E had no fusion crust andno apparent contaminants, suggesting that thespecimen fragmented from inside the meteorite.Approximately half (1.4 g) of Kobe E was pul-verized at NIPR for bulk chemical analysis of themajor elements. Wet chemical analyses were car-ried out at NIPR, and major and trace elementanalyses were carried out by isotope dilution atKobe University and instrumental neutron activa-tion analysis (INAA) at the Tokyo MetropolitanUniversity. Oxygen isotopes in a small chip fromKobe E were analyzed at the University ofChicago (Prof. R. N. Clayton). The major chemi-cal and oxygen isotopic compositions were foundto be consistent with the classification of CK-group chondrites, although anomalous REE pat-terns were identified. The preliminary results ofchemical, petrological and oxygen isotope exami-nations, as well as cosmic-ray inducedradionuclides were reported at the 31st Lunar andPlanetary Science Conference held at NASA,Houston, U.S.A. (Nakamura et al., 2000).The Kobe meteorite is a new member of thecarbonaceous sub-group (CK) of chondrites re-cently classified for a series of metamorphosedThe Kobe meteorite fell on September 26 (lo-cal time 20:23), 1999, in Kita-ku in the north ofKobe city, Japan. The meteorite fall was widelyobserved in Kobe and the surrounding area, andwas photographed by an amateur photographer inImabari city, 200 km southwest of Kobe. Themeteorite struck a house with an explosive soundbut otherwise caused only minor property dam-age. The approximately 20 fragments of the me-teorite (total mass 136 g) were soon after deliv-ered to Kita Police Headquarters, then transferredto the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) ofHyogo Prefectural Police Headquarters wherenondestructive tests and X-ray fluorescence analy-ses were carried out under the guidance of thepresent author (Figs. 1~3).One of the largest fragments, Kobe A (65 g),was promptly transferred to the Ogoya Under-ground Laboratory (low-level radioactivity labo-ratory, LLRL) of Kanazawa University for cos-mic-ray induced radioactivity measurements (seeKomura et al., 2002). Several small chips (about0.5 g each) were donated by the owner of the build-ing struck by the meteorite (Mr. R. Hirata). Oneof the small chips was taken for petrographic ex-amination at the National Institute of Polar Re-search (NIPR; Prof. H. Kojima) and another smallchip was petrographically examined at Kobe Uni-versity (Prof. K. Tomeoka). The meteorite wasclassified as a Karoonda-type (CK4) chondrite(metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrite) and wasregistered with the Nomenclature Committee ofthe Meteoritical Society (see Meteoritical Bulle-

Integrating-sphere calibration of all-sky cameras for nightglow measurements

Abstract Three all-sky cooled-CCD cameras designed for mid-latitude nightglow measurements were developed at the Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory and calibrated using a 2-m integrating-sphere and a spectrometer at the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan. Absolute sensitivity and image-flattening data are obtained together with filter transmission functions. We find that filters with highly-flattened image-quality surfaces may cause serious Newton's Ring pattern on final images.

Alis, a state-of-the-art optical observation network for the exploration of polar atmospheric processes

Abstract An optical group at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in Kiruna, Sweden has been developing the ALIS (Auroral Large Imaging System) multi-station optical observing network which makes it possible to obtain composite monochromatic 2-D images over a fairly wide field-of-view (FOV), and more interestingly, a CT (Computed Tomography) image set for the retrieval of 3-D structure of aurora by adjusting vergence angles of cameras to a common volume. National Institute of Polar Research, Japan is collaborating in observation and analysis. At the moment, the network has 6 stations separated from each other by about 50 km. Each station houses a monochromatic CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging system mounted on the steerable azimuth/elevation drive along with a house keeping unit and supervising computer linked to the control center via a telephone line. Altitude profiles of luminosity for stable arc and aurora vortex at 557.7nm and recently at 427.8nm are analysed by the algebraic reconstruction technique and compared with sophisticated numerical modelling of auroral emission rate. Conjunctions with satellites and radars are now intensively explored towards comprehensive understanding of the formation and electrodynamics of aurora. Imaging of polar stratospheric clouds is also attempted in relation to arctic environmental studies.

Parental Food Provisioning Is Unrelated to Manipulated Offspring Food Demand in a Nocturnal Single-Provisioning Alcid, the Rhinoceros Auklet

Akinori Takahashi, Laboratory of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan. Present address: Department of Polar Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, National Institute of Polar Research, Itabishi, Tokyo 173-8515, Japan. Maki Kuroki, Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Nakano, Tokyo 164-8639, Japan. Present address: Department of Polar Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, National Institute of Polar Research, Itabishi, Tokyo 173-8515, Japan. Yasuaki Niizuma and Yutaka Watanuki (correspondence), Laboratory of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan. E-mail: ywata@res.agr.hokudai.ac.jp

Polar patrol balloon

From late December of 1990 to early January of 1991, the National Institute of Polar Research, in collaboration with the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, launched two large zero-pressure balloons from Syowa Station, which is the Japanese research base in Antarctica. The balloon launched on December 25 returned near Syowa Station after 15 days of flight, keeping a constant altitude of about 30 km. It finally accomplished almost a one and half circumpolar flight. The total flight duration was about 40 days. This article will describe the balloon system and the flight behavior of the balloon.

Polar patrol balloon project in Japan

Since 1984, the National Institute of Polar Research and the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science have studied the feasibility of a long-term circumpolar balloon experiment, called Polar Patrol Balloon (PPB) project. This project aims at establishing a PPB system to bring scientific payloads in the stratosphere over the Antarctic region. Three test flights in 1987 and 1990 at Syowa Station convinced us that the PPB would have a good chance of coming back to the launching area, provided that we utilize the advantage of no sunset during the summer season in Antarctica. The PPB experiments were consequently made in 1990 to 1991. PPB #1 which was launched on 25 Dec 1990 reached a height of 30 km and drifted westwards. At 22:30 (UT) on 8 Jan 1991, the PPB passed 400 km north of Syowa Station; this means that the PPB accomplished a complete circumpolar flight over Antarctica. Second flight (#2) was successively launched on 5 Jan 1991. A further 3rd flight (#3) was carried out for 23–28 Sept 1991 when an Antarctic ozone hole was well developed.

Characteristics of wind at Asuka Camp in Antarctica in view of energy utilization

In order to provide the useful information for designing a wind turbine system in the area of cold Katabatic climate in Antarctica, analyzed were the wind data acquired at the 10m level during the course of operation for five years from 1987 to 1991 by Japan Meteorological Agency and National Institute of Polar Research, and measured continuously for the certain periods of hours in 1991 by the anemometer on top of the 6m tower next to the small wind turbine system at Asuka Observation Camp in Antarctica. Several findings were drawn based on the analysis of data. The duration time of the wind velocity specifically more than 10m/s in the direction of ESE lasted extremely long throughout a year. Gust factors kept almost constant in the range over the velocity of 8m/s. Power spectra have a peak value at 0.052Hz and were well approximated by the equation expressed under the condition of the neutral stratification.