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Registration is required for this free, virtual event. Go to:
https://bit.ly/LarramendiTalk
Hamptons Observatory and co-host, Suffolk County Community College,
are honored to present a free, virtual lecture by polar explorer,
expedition leader, and inventor, Ramon Larramendi.
The
annual North Greenland WindSled Expeditions (NGWE) plays a vital role
in sustainable and ongoing data acquisition to understand the changes
occurring in the ice cap and their implications for the health of the
Arctic ecosystem and the global environment. These expeditions, which
monitor activity in Greenland’s northern ice cap, are essential for
understanding the dynamics of the ice sheet, its response to climate
change, and its potential impact on global sea level rise. The
program uses an innovative, zero-emissions, wind-powered form of
transport, the “WindSled,” which was invented by Ramon
Larramendi. It serves as a portable lab, that enables scientists to
travel across previously inaccessible ice-covered regions to collect
samples and study specific features of the environment. For example,
on the last Antarctic expedition scientists from the UMaine Climate
Change Institute obtained snow and ice samples to study the history
of climate change. Other monitoring activities may include remote
sensing satellite data validation; establishing climate, weather and
meteorological monitoring stations; taking geological measurements;
and much more. Collected data are analyzed to identify trends,
patterns, and potential correlations. Computer models are generated
and used to simulate the behavior of the ice sheet under different
climate scenarios, thus helping scientists make predictions about
future changes. Overall, the goal of these monitoring activities and
expeditions is to contribute to global climate change research, to
enhance our understanding of the northern Greenland ice sheet and
provide valuable insights into how its dynamics impact our planet.
Ramon Larramendi is the inventor of the
WindSled and the Founding Director of the NGWE. He specializes in
traditional Inuit travel and survival techniques. During his 30-year
career, he has led more than 20 of the most significant polar
expeditions and has made over 100 trips to polar regions; this is not
counting the expeditions he will be leading later this year. One of
his most renown trips was the Circumpolar Expedition during which he
traveled nearly 14,000 kilometers by dogsled, kayak and other
non-motorized means from Greenland to Alaska across the Northwest
Passage (see National Geographic’s
“Global Edition,” January 1995). He has lived more than 8 years
in the Arctic and currently resides between Spain and Greenland. He
is a decades-long member of the Explorer’s Club in New York.
Hamptons Observatory extends its deepest thanks to Ramon for
generously taking the time to share his expertise, and is also
grateful to co-host Suffolk County Community College, and to Carin
Eve Cole, for their kind collaboration.
While
this lecture is free, donations to support our programs are needed
and deeply appreciated regardless of the amount. To make a
tax-deductible donation to support our mission, please go to
https://bit.ly/HO-Zeffy.
Thanks!
Hamptons
Observatory (HO), a 501(c)(3) New York State nonprofit, has served
the community since 2005 and operates exclusively through public
support. It’s mission: to foster interest in science, particularly
astronomy, through quality educational programs. Lectures, star
parties, portable planetarium shows and other events are held
frequently and often in collaboration with other nonprofit
organizations. HO has an observatory in East Hampton that it is
endeavoring to restore and to make accessible (in-person and
remotely) to students, researchers, educators and the general public.
We offer our public programs free of charge so that everyone has the
opportunity to learn about and enjoy the wonders of the universe. For
further information about us or to join our mailing list, please
visit our website: https://HamptonsObservatory.org
