Goodbye Tromsø!

June 24, 2010
Today is our last full day in Northern Norway and the sun is peaking through the clouds! After a week of nothing but rain and clouds, we were in desperate need of some sunshine. I must say, Tromsø in the sun is much better than Tromsø in the rain!

Our morning activities included visits to Tromsø Geophysical Obervatory and Kongsberg Spacetec. Tromsø Geophysical Observatory is a research program and educational facility focused on studying the Northern Lights. Odd Erik Garcia, our host, explained the phenomenon behind Aurora Borealis including the fact that the name is actually a misnomer by an Italian scientist who saw the lights during a strong period when they reached as far south as Italy. However, the further they go, the less dense they are and thus the lights in Italy were red while in Northern Norway they are always bright green. In the past, the Northern Lights have been seen as far south as Jamaica. Every year, the intensity changes and the center shifts. Scientists study the solar activity to determine when they will see the Northern Lights. The past few years have actually been relatively dormant, but last year showed a little activity so if you are interested in seeing the Northern Lights, you should check them out in about two years! Dormant activity has been known to last as long as 100 years, so don't miss your chance while the solar activity is visible!

Kongsberg Spacetek is a ground satellite station, working to monitor and coordinate with the satellite activity to collect data for countries. The ground satellites are based across the world, including Tromsø, and work 24/7 to talk with the stations. Because of their location, Kongsberg is the leading ground satellite company. In Tromsø, the ground satellites can communicate with 11 of the 14 orbiting satellites while in Svalbard, all 14 orbits communicate regularly because the satellites orbit Pole to Pole and always pass over Svalbard. Some advantages of having quick data from the salellites include monitoring oil ships for spills, watching the migration of animals and watching the climate change in the Polar region. Currently, 83 percent of the work is outsourced.

After our last traditional Norwegian lunch, we explored sunny Tromsø and picked up some last minute souveniers from the North. Later in the evening, we took the life up the mountain to take in the aerial view of Tromsø. What a sight! The city was glistening as the sun bounced off the windows and we even watched some hang-gliders take advantage of the upward wind on this clear day. A last glimpse of the Midnight Sun and we said goodbye to Tromsø and Northern Norway.