Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2010

Peace, Health and Joy are my best wishes to all my readers and their families and friends.

ALL- RUSSIAN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENSE - "HISTORY OF THE POLAR LIBRARIES”.

MURMANSK and ZAOZERSK (MURMANSK REGION). ZAOZERSK POST OFFICE DATE 15.04.2009, MURMANSK TRANSIT POSTMARK DATE 16.04.2009.

On the cover official stamp of the State Murmansk Regional Scientific Library and ZAOZERSK Library official cancellation (round violet).

XXX SCAR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ST.-PETERSBURG 08.07.-11.07.2008 SPECIAL CANCELED REGISTERED MAIL.

RUSSIAN POSTAL STATIONERY ENVELOPE - PINGUINS, POLAR BEAR, SAILING SHIP.

The XXX Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Meeting and the SCAR and International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) Open Science Conference “Polar Research – Arctic

and Antarctic perspectives in the International Polar Year” were held in St. Petersburg, Russia between July 4th and July 11th 2008.

SCAR is the international committee responsible for initiation, promotion and co-ordination of high quality scientific research in Antarctica. SCAR is the leading international body for coordinating and facilitating scientific research in Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean. The 34 national Members of SCAR are the national academies of science of the various countries. The SCAR science is designed by the academic and government scientists appointed by the national academies to address fundamental questions regarding what is to be found or seen in the Antarctic, how what is found or seen is controlled by underlying processes, and how that knowledge and understanding can be fed into advanced numerical models to forecast what change we may expect to see in the future.

The scientific business of SCAR is conducted by its three discipline-based Standing Scientific Groups (Geosciences, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences), which represent the scientific disciplines active in Antarctic research.

54th RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Cover with IPY 2007-2008 official logo, with RV AKADEMIK FEDOROV exploration vessel onboard cancellation dated from April, 15 2009 and special cancellation at the arrive in the Leningradskaya station on April, 25 2009.

STATION PROGRESS

Progress (Russian: Прогресс) is a Russian (formerly Soviet) research station in Antarctica. It is located at the Larsemann Hills Oasis on the shore of Prydz Bay.

The station was established by the 33rd Soviet Antarctic Expedition on April 1, 1988 and was moved to another place on February 26, 1989 In 2000, work was temporarily halted but it reopened in 2003.

A landing field is located close to the station for air connection with other stations. From 1998-2001 work was done on the moving of transportation devices to Progress from Mirny Station.

In 2004 work began on a year-round facility at the station. On October 4, 2008, a fire broke out at the construction site resulting in the death of a construction worker and two serious injuries. The fire resulted in the complete loss of the new structure, as well as damage to the station's communications and scientific equipment.

RV AKADEMIK FEDOROV

The R/V Akademik Fyodorov (Russian: Академик Фёдоров) is a Russian scientific diesel-electric research vessel, the flagship of the Russian polar research fleet.[3] It was built in Rauma, Finland for the former Soviet Union and completed on September 8, 1987. It started operations on October 24, 1987 in the USSR. The ship was named after a Soviet polar explorer, academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences Evgeny Fyodorov, who worked on the first Soviet manned drifting ice station North Pole-1.

STATION LENINGRADSKAYA

Leningradskaya station was a Soviet Antarctic research station, located at 69°30′S 159°23′E / 69.5°S 159.383°E / -69.5; 159.383 (the north shore of Victoria Land, at the Oates Coast). It was opened on February 25, 1971 by the members of the 15th Soviet Antarctic Expedition. It closed in 1991, but during its lifetime was host to studies of meteorology, Earth magnetism, oceanology and glaciology.

In February 2006, Valeriy Lukin, the head of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE), said:

There are plans to open the mothballed stations Molodyozhnaya, Leningradskaya and Russkaya in the 2007-2008 season. This will bring great benefits because these stations are located in the Pacific sector of Antarctica, which is poorly covered by scientific studies.

Luis wants to go to Antarctica

No, is not me, is another Luis, Portuguese, as well, and he is fascinated by Antartic. Now his dream can becomes a reality, just needs your vote. Let's do it!

Here

From his blog:

You collect polar regions books and dvds ? Global warming in a freezing cold place? Penguins are cute but to have them all over your apartment is a bit too much no ? What can you possibly want to see down there?

Along the past 10 years I have been trying to answer some of the above questions and explain people why I have this fascination for the Antarctica, why this dream!

Hi, my name is Luís, I’m a 28 years old Portuguese guy, I have two sisters and one brother, all born and raised in a small town in the North of Portugal called Vila Real! I work in IT and for fun I host a radio show and write a personal blog, kind of a tragic and comic life diary.

My friends say it’s a crazy cool dream and my family is already used to my strange ideas, so now I just need to convince you I'm the man for the job!

What I can promise:

- I’ll not omit any personal details which in my case are normally hilarious! If a penguin "bites" my *ss for example…you’ll know how bad it felt!

- Feelings in words, images and sounds. My camera and microphone are ready, hope they don't freeze down there!

- I will use this unique opportunity to spread the word on how global warming is affecting the Antarctica environment and how this is already affecting us. We shall and will do better in order to preserve our amazing world.

- This will be our adventure so I'll try to learn and share everything the best way I can.

If I get that call and hop into a Quark expedition to a polar region, I can assure you: “It’s gonna be legendary” ;)

International Polar Year Stamps – South Georgia 2009

The Cancellation

International Polar Year Stamps – South Georgia 2009

The Brochure:(Front page)

(Back page)

International Polar Year Stamps – South Georgia 2009

The First Day Cover

International Polar Year Stamps – South Georgia 2009

The Stamps

South Georgia stamp issue celebrates New International Polar Year

International Polar Year (March 2007- March 2009) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands are issuing a series of stamps. South Georgia has been closely linked to polar scientific research from the very first International Polar Commission back in 1879 in the city of Hamburg.

Actually the earliest example of international coordination in polar science was the Transit of Venus, 9 December 1874. It was observed in Antarctic regions by Britain, France, Germany and the United States which established eight coordinated observatories. All took a variety of scientists as well as astronomers. Biological, geological and surveying programmes were conducted.

The idea was conceived by the Austrian explorer Karl Wlyprecht. The International Polar Commission was formed at a conference in Hamburg 1879 leading to the organisation of the first International Polar Year (IPY) from 1 August 1882 to 31 August 1883.

The programme involved 12 countries which established 14 scientific stations in polar regions for coordinated scientific observations. Two stations were established in southern regions; France in Tierra del Fuego and Germany in South Georgia at Moltke Base, Royal Bay. These stations observed the transit of Venus of 6 December 1882.

As meteorological and geophysical sciences, research and collections were made in almost every other branch of science in the polar regions. Antarctic research on South Georgia included comprehensive surveys of the botany, with particular studies on the occurrences and distribution of birds and seals.

Based on two contemporary sketches, the 50p stamp illustrates the Zoological building at Moltke and studies into the metabolism of King Penguins. Two of the study penguins, nicknamed Melchior and Balthasar after the three kings of the Christmas story, were restrained during the experiment with “ledercorsets”. Kaspar, however, was simply content to keep them company.

The proposal for a second IPY (August 1932/August 1933) was formulated by Dr Johannes Georgi of Germany but it was adversely affected by the economic stringency following the financial depression of 1931. Thus no stations were established in Antarctic regions, although several had been planned. Data were contributed by the meteorological observatories on the South Orkney Islands (established 1903) and South Georgia (1905) and about 12 vessels of the Southern Ocean whaling fleet. Discovery II also contributed data while circumnavigating the Antarctic (1931-33). The 60p stamp illustrates the Meteorological station at King Edward Point, South Georgia.

The third IPY (International Geophysical Year, 1 July 1957 to 31 December 1958) engaged 66 countries, snowballed into the International Geophysical Year and became a simply stunning year for the scientific community. Researchers discussed the theory of continental drift and plate tectonics; they made the first measurements of the thickness of the Antarctic ice sheet and so were able to estimate how much of the planet’s freshwater is locked up in the ice. Scientists discovered the Van Allen Radiation Belt. The world’s first satellites were launched and the spirit of cooperation led to the ratification of the Antarctic Treaty in 1961 and the first truly international territory. The year saw the start of long-term measurements of atmospheric ozone above Antarctica, which led to the discovery of the ozone hole by British Antarctic Survey scientists in 1985. The contribution from South Georgia was the on-going observations of the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey.

Fifty years on from the International Geophysical Year, technological developments such as earth observation satellites, autonomous vehicles and molecular biology techniques offer enormous opportunities to greatly improve our understanding of polar systems. This IPY (March 2007/09) also provides an exciting opportunity to engage the upcoming generation of young scientists and to further educate the public. The fourth IPY was launched in March 2007 and has been extended to March 2009 to allow for two field seasons at both poles. Over 200 projects are taking place with thousands of scientists from over 60 nations examining a wide range of physical, biological and social research topics in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Based on images taken by British Antarctic Survey scientists working around South Georgia, the 85p and £1.05 stamps capture the importance of the marine ecosystem. From the tiny zooplankton such as krill up to the large predators such as leopard seals, the delicate balance of the polar oceans is liable to disturbances from climate change. Many of the IPY projects are focused on understanding how the animals inhabiting the polar regions may be affected by changes in sea temperature and sea ice coverage. ICED (Integrating Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics”) is one of the projects studying these interactions around South Georgia and many other areas in the Southern Ocean.

The latest technology has been used to make tiny devices to attach to seabirds and marine mammals, which record information about where they go and what they do. Data collected from ship surveys and moorings provide details on fish, krill and the microscopic plant life. Such information helps scientists to build up a clearer picture of how the ecosystem fits together and what this will mean in the face of a changing climate.

Scott Polar Research Institute and the British Antarctic Survey assisted with the issue

Dados técnicos / Données Techniques / Technical Data
Tema / sujets / subjects: South Georgia stamp issue celebrates New Int. Polar Year
Emissão / émission / issue: 2009/01/25
Design: Andrew Robinson
Formato / Format / Size: 28.45 x 42.58 mm
Papel / Papier / Paper: 14 x 14
Picotagem / Dentelure / Perforation: 13 x 13
Impressão / Impression / Printing: Lithography
Impressor / Imprimeur / Printer: BDT International

Selos / Timbres / Stamps: Four stamps of 50p. 60p, 85p and £ 1.05.

Tribute Captain Robert Scott South Pole Expedition Antarctica Antartida Britain

International Polar Year – Argentina 2007

Cancellation

International Polar Year – Argentina 2007

FDC with Souvenir Sheet

Global Warming - Animation

International Polar Year – Argentina 2007

Selo: Representação da Antártida Argentina, das suas bases permanentes e temporárias.
Tarja complemento com pictogramas relativos à fauna da região – diatomeia, krill, pescada, foca, pinguim e gaivota antártica.


Bloco filatélico: Representação do continente Antártico. Incluídos pictografas relativos à actividade científica e de investigação e dos meios de transporte utilizados na região.
Incluído também o logotipo do programa Antártico Argentino.

Souvenir Sheet

Global Warning

International Polar Year Stamps – Argentina 2009

Cancellation

International Polar Year Stamps – Argentina 2009

First day covers

International Polar Year Stamps – Argentina 2009

Preservación de Regiones Polares y Glaciares

Tema dos selos: HB, cristais gelo, ponto comum em todos os selos da emissão conjunta. Iconografias relativas a alguns aspectos que tornam a preservação do meio ambiente e prevenção do aquecimento global.

Emoldurado em vermelho para lembrar as situações a evitar: uso de energias não renováveis (e alguns poluentes perigosos): combustíveis fósseis e nucleares, contaminação ambiental por deposição inadequada de pilhas, o uso excessivo de aerossóis e outros; uso irracional de electricidade, por exemplo através do uso de lâmpadas de incandescência.

Alternativas enquadradas no azul, como o migrar urgente para a utilização de biocombustíveis; processo de reciclagem de resíduos, uso racional de energia, tais como lâmpadas de baixo consumo, controle de resíduos, uso de energias renováveis: eólica.

Alterações climáticas: representado por um quem é quem do aumento global da temperatura.
Antecedentes: Sketch da República da Argentina e do Sector Antártico Argentino, que identifica a localização das regiões glacial de Piedras Blancas e do gelo da plataforma Larsen, respectivamente, cantos e gotas de água para avisar sobre o gelo a derreter.

Rolhas, Glaciar Piedras Blancas, prov. Santa Cruz. Demarcação do glaciar retiro 1932-2005. Foto de 2005.

Gelo da plataforma Larsen, mar Wedell, Sector Antártico Argentino. Demarcação do recuo da plataforma de gelo 1986-2008. 1986 imagens de satélite Landsat

(English)

Theme of the stamps: HB, ice crystals, common point in all the stamps of the issue together. Iconographies of some aspects that make the environment and prevention of global warming.

Framed in red to remember the situations to avoid: use of non-renewable energy (and some hazardous pollutants): nuclear and fossil fuels, environmental contamination by improper disposal of batteries, excessive use of aerosols and other, irrational use of electricity, for example through the use of incandescent lamps.

Alternatives framed in blue, meaning how urgent is to migrate to the use of biofuels, the recycling process of waste, efficient use of energy, such as lamps, low consumption, control of waste, use renewable energy: wind.

Climate change: represented by a who's who of the global increase of temperature.
Background: Sketch of the Republic of Argentina and the Argentine Antarctic Sector, which identifies the location of the glacial regions of Piedras Blancas and the ice shelf Larsen, respectively, corners and drops of water to warn on the ice to melt.

Seals, Piedras Blancas Glacier, prov. Santa Cruz. Demarcation of glacier retreat 1932-2005. Photo 2005.

The Larsen ice shelf, sea Wedell, Argentina Antarctic Sector. Demarcation of the retreat of the ice shelf 1986-2008. Landsat satellite images from 1986

Dados técnicos / Données Techniques / Technical Data
Tema / sujets / subjects: Preservation of Polar Areas and Glaciers
Emissão / émission / issue: 2009/03/07
Design: n.a.

Formato / Format / Size: 100 x 150 mm
Papel / Papier / Paper: n.a.
Picotagem / Dentelure / Perforation: n.a.
impressão / impression / Printing: offset
impressor / imprimeur / Printer: n.a.

Selos / Timbres / Stamps: Two stamps of $5

Souvenir Sheet

Listening to Northern Lights

International Polar Year Stamps – Chile 2009

Brochure