international polar year

[pianistimo]

yes.  2007-2008 is international polar year (at least in alaska - and according to uni of alaska, fairbanks).  you can learn more about the importance of the polar regions by logging on to www.ipy.org   what for?  you ask - well, this is just another random thread.

the first ipy year was in 1882-1883.  it was the inspiration of austrian explorer and naval officer lt. karl weyprecht (scientist and co-commander of the austro-hungarian polar expedition of 1872-74).  he thought that if all the nations got together and did scientific research -that more information would become available on the region.

the second ipy year was in 1932-33. 

in 2007 the conference is being held in austria.  among the topics are instruments that are used in the north.  of course, as i understand it, the closer you get to the actual north pole - the less your instruments work.  much like the bermuda triangle - you get into the polar regions and you start losing your mind.  too much magetism or something.

[Mozartian]

heh for some reason i read that as "international bipolar year"....

[pianistimo]

well - if you've ever experienced alaska - you can get bipolar.  look at what these mushers have to do.  just the cold alone.  forget the magnetism the nearer you get to the north pole.  everything is a celebration up there in the spring.  people celebrate the iditarod like the tour de france.