Science

Neal Brown in 1967, holding his newborn son Kris. Brown accepts the Roger Smith Lifetime Achievement award in 2016 from Geophysical Institute director Bob McCoy. Brown in 2021, on an outing in New Hampshire with his dog Molly. Courtesy Photos / Kris Brown,  Geophysical Institute, Becky Lees)

Alaska Science Forum: Neal Brown leaves legacy of learning and laughing

Brown never lost his child-like wonder about the world.

Neal Brown in 1967, holding his newborn son Kris. Brown accepts the Roger Smith Lifetime Achievement award in 2016 from Geophysical Institute director Bob McCoy. Brown in 2021, on an outing in New Hampshire with his dog Molly. Courtesy Photos / Kris Brown,  Geophysical Institute, Becky Lees)
The antenna of an Argos satellite tag extends past the tail feathers of a female American robin as she feeds a worm to her hungry nestlings on a front porch in Cheverly, Md., Sunday, May 9, 2021. A new antenna on the International Space Station and receptors on the Argos satellite, combined with the shrinking size of tracking chips and batteries, are allowing scientists to remotely monitor small animal and songbird movements in much greater detail than ever before. (AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster)

Scientists hail golden age to trace bird migration with tech

Robins fly more than 2,780 miles between their breeding area in Alaska and winter grounds in Texas.

The antenna of an Argos satellite tag extends past the tail feathers of a female American robin as she feeds a worm to her hungry nestlings on a front porch in Cheverly, Md., Sunday, May 9, 2021. A new antenna on the International Space Station and receptors on the Argos satellite, combined with the shrinking size of tracking chips and batteries, are allowing scientists to remotely monitor small animal and songbird movements in much greater detail than ever before. (AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster)
An Alaska Earthquake Center map of all the earthquakes that happened in the year 2020, including the epicenter of a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that happened May 30, 2021. (Courtesy Image / Ned Rozell)
An Alaska Earthquake Center map of all the earthquakes that happened in the year 2020, including the epicenter of a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that happened May 30, 2021. (Courtesy Image / Ned Rozell)
The NASA Black Brant XII rocket lifts off with the KiNET-X experiment at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on May 16, 2021. (Terry Zaperach / NASA)

Chasing starlight: Alaska team shoots rocket searching for aurora data

Weather conditions on the East Coast nearly scrubbed the mission.

The NASA Black Brant XII rocket lifts off with the KiNET-X experiment at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on May 16, 2021. (Terry Zaperach / NASA)
In Ferry, Alaska, a balsam poplar leaf emerges from a bud in May. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Greenup unfolds, pollen soon to follow

The great, silent collective explosion of freed tree buds is coming.

In Ferry, Alaska, a balsam poplar leaf emerges from a bud in May. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Dr. Lauren Wild smiles during a recent whale necropsy near Sitka. Wild is a UAS researcher and fisheries professor, and yes, you can call her Dr. Wild. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich and Lione Clare, operating under NOAA Stranding Agreement MMHSRP #18786-04)

Resilient Peoples & Place: What can one find within the body of a whale?

Within their perished bodies, whales may contain secrets to their species.

Dr. Lauren Wild smiles during a recent whale necropsy near Sitka. Wild is a UAS researcher and fisheries professor, and yes, you can call her Dr. Wild. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich and Lione Clare, operating under NOAA Stranding Agreement MMHSRP #18786-04)
The Alsek River is the straight, tan waterway with a major branch that turns left into Alsek Lake. As the Grand Plateau Glacier — near top left of the photo — recedes, scientists think the Alsek River will flow that way to the sea. Currently, the Alsek River hangs a sharp right to reach Dry Bay and the Gulf of Alaska. (Courtesy Photo /Chris Larsen)

Alaska Science Forum: Big change on a big landscape

Could a roving river re-route rafters ?

The Alsek River is the straight, tan waterway with a major branch that turns left into Alsek Lake. As the Grand Plateau Glacier — near top left of the photo — recedes, scientists think the Alsek River will flow that way to the sea. Currently, the Alsek River hangs a sharp right to reach Dry Bay and the Gulf of Alaska. (Courtesy Photo /Chris Larsen)
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Alaska Science Forum: Snow is the state of Alaska

Fun facts about snow gleaned from a new book.

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A diagram from "Alaska Science Nuggets" shows the science behind mysterious dancing power wires. (Courtesy Image)
Video

What makes wires move like jump ropes? Here’s the answer

Wire they dancing?

A diagram from "Alaska Science Nuggets" shows the science behind mysterious dancing power wires. (Courtesy Image)
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Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Rainier pulls into port Wednesday at Coast Guard Station Juneau for rest and replenishment of stores.

NOAA survey vessel takes break from updating charts in Juneau

It will not be open to public tours due to pandemic concerns, unfortunately.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Rainier pulls into port Wednesday at Coast Guard Station Juneau for rest and replenishment of stores.
Proof of the past: These rock formations offer evidence of an ice-free Alaska

Proof of the past: These rock formations offer evidence of an ice-free Alaska

It’s hard to believe Alaska’s cold heart was grassland when Manhattan and Chicago were under blue ice.

Proof of the past: These rock formations offer evidence of an ice-free Alaska
The subport land along Juneau downtown waterfront that Norwegian Cruise Line purchased last year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: What the Alaska Ocean Center will mean to Juneau

Alaska is the right place for a world-class marine center.

The subport land along Juneau downtown waterfront that Norwegian Cruise Line purchased last year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo | UA Museum of the North                                The fossil of Gunakadeit joseeae, which was found in Southeast Alaska. About two thirds of the tail had already eroded away when the fossil was discovered.

Ancient species found near Kake given Tlingit name

This is the first species ever given a Tlingit name.

Courtesy photo | UA Museum of the North                                The fossil of Gunakadeit joseeae, which was found in Southeast Alaska. About two thirds of the tail had already eroded away when the fossil was discovered.
Orrin Noon, 10, Arlo Davis, 11, and Axel Boily, 10, beam at the crunchy critters they were about to eat. The boys were among the theatergoers who sampled edible insects prepared by David George Gordon, aka Bug Chef. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Orrin Noon, 10, Arlo Davis, 11, and Axel Boily, 10, beam at the crunchy critters they were about to eat. The boys were among the theatergoers who sampled edible insects prepared by David George Gordon, aka Bug Chef. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo | Joan Travers                                 Inspiring Girls Expeditions is holding two tuition-free expeditions for 16- and 17-year-old girls in Alaska this summer.

Program introduces girls to science expeditions in wilderness

Expeditions in Alaska will explore a glacier and the intertidal zone.

Courtesy Photo | Joan Travers                                 Inspiring Girls Expeditions is holding two tuition-free expeditions for 16- and 17-year-old girls in Alaska this summer.
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014. The forecast looks promising for Aurora activity this Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014. The forecast looks promising for Aurora activity this Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Ripan Malhi, principle investigator and professor of genomic biology at the University of Illinois in Urbana- Champaign, speaks during an interview on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, on collaborating with Sealaska Heritage Institute on a genetics study that will explore how historical trauma associated with European colonization may have changed the DNA of Native people. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

DNA may show lasting impact of colonization

The study is now accepting volunteers.

Ripan Malhi, principle investigator and professor of genomic biology at the University of Illinois in Urbana- Champaign, speaks during an interview on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, on collaborating with Sealaska Heritage Institute on a genetics study that will explore how historical trauma associated with European colonization may have changed the DNA of Native people. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dig this: Art and science collide in new Ray Troll exhibition

Dig this: Art and science collide in new Ray Troll exhibition

Ketchikan artist has been drawing dinos with crayons for 61 years.

Dig this: Art and science collide in new Ray Troll exhibition
An historic first, a stolen jaw and squid beaks for lunch: Here’s what scientists are making of the sperm whale beached near Juneau
An historic first, a stolen jaw and squid beaks for lunch: Here’s what scientists are making of the sperm whale beached near Juneau
Going to bat for Juneau’s winged mammals

Going to bat for Juneau’s winged mammals

They’re waiting in the wings.

Going to bat for Juneau’s winged mammals