ATIC video

Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) Balloon Experiment, launched in Antarctica, December 2000

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ATIC Introduction (MPEG file (11 MB) )

This short segment from a news broadcast of a local Baton Rouge television station, WAFB, provides some background on the ATIC experiment and the plans to take the instrument to the CERN particle accelerator near Geneva, Switzerland during September, 1999.

Eyes on ATIC (MPEG file (8.8 MB) ) (12/1/00)

The ATIC experiment is on its way to Antarctica. While LSU scientists make the final preparations for their trip to the ice-bound continent, students and teachers in Louisiana also prepare to participate in the mission.

To the Last Continent (MPEG file (11 MB) ) (12/4/00)

Bill Rodman leaves Baton Rouge on a journey that will take him through New Zealand and on to McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

Meet the ATIC Crew (MPEG file (16 MB) ) (12/7/00)

Meet the LSU ATIC crew who have been tucked away in a remote Antarctic hanger busily at work assembling the long duration balloon experiment.

"Happy Camper" School (MPEG file (13 MB) ) (12/8/00)

For the scientists and contract workers who arrive at McMurdo Station, Antarctica each year, many are amazed at the comparative comfort of the base and its facilities Not to be forgotten, however, is the extreme Antarctic wilderness that begins right where Mac Town ends. To help remind and prepare visitors for what awaits them out on the frozen and barren last continent, a required course called Snow Craft Survival One, fondly referred to as "Happy Camper," must be completed. WAFB Special Correspondent Bill Rodman has more on his "Happy Camper" experience.

Pathfinder's Findings (MPEG file (16 MB) ) (12/11/00)

When the LSU ATIC experiment is fully assembled, tested and ready for launch, that's when the skills of the Palestine, Texas based National Scientific Balloon Facility staff come in. While the skill of NSBF's riggers and technicians is so critical for the success of the helium balloon flight, the weather, particularly high circumpolar winds, is crucial, as WAFB Special Correspondent Bill Rodman reports from the frozen last continent. (12/11/00)

Measuring Cosmic Rays (MPEG file (16.8 MB) ) (12/13/00)

Pending some last minute tweaking of the experiment's detector control software, that could take a day or more to straighten out, LSU ATIC project leader Greg Guzik, Ph.D. says the experiment is two days from being launch ready at Williams Field, Antarctica. In today's Science on Ice video journal, Bill Rodman attempts to demystify the galactic cosmic ray detecting experiment with the LSU Research Associate who helped design and construct it, as well as showing you a nearby Ross Island historic treasure.

The Men Behind the Scientific Balloon (MPEG file (9.8 MB) ) (12/15/00)

The Palestine, Texas based National Scientific Balloon Facility crew prepares for launch day NSBF crew will oversee the unmanned balloon flight that will take the ATIC experiment on a ten to twelve day orbit around the South Pole at an altitude of one-hundred and twenty thousand feet. In today's video journal from The Ice, Bill Rodman talks with the NSBF crew chief about scientific ballooning in Antarctica.

Mardi Gras, McMurdo Style (MPEG file (15.1 MB) ) (12/18/00)

The LSU ATIC project team is coming off a very eventful weekend With time ticking down to launch day, the experiment itself is being prepared for the 10 to 12 day, high altitude orbit around the South Pole Though they're a long way from home, the crew experienced a little South Louisiana cheer as WAFB Special Correspondent Bill Rodman explains from Antarctica.

Countdown to Launch (MPEG file (13.4 MB) ) (12/20/00)

Five years after it was first conceived, and countless hours of research, design and set-up later, the LSU/ATIC experiment on galactic cosmic rays is fully constructed and being checked out for flight. The launch day and time now rests on a final experiment compatibility test and, of course, good weather, as Bill Rodman reports from Williams Field, Antarctica

Merry Christmas from Antarctica (MPEG file (3.8 MB) ) (12/25/00)

The delay continues in the launch of the Louisiana State University/ATIC (Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter) long duration balloon experiment on cosmic rays. The high altitude balloon launch remains on hold due to cloudy skies and high winds that have stuck around all weekend long in and around McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The latest weather briefing shows the next realistic shot at launch to be sometime Wednesday, December 27. Members of the LSU Physics and Astronomy team did, however, celebrate Christmas in style with a holiday meal that included Louisiana-style fried turkey. Meantime the experiment is fully constructed, software adjustments are complete and the instrument is undergoing last minute calibration checks before a balloon ride that will take it 120,000 feet in the air on a ten to twelve day orbit of the South Pole.

Waiting on the Weather (MPEG file (15.5 MB) ) (12/26/00)

When we last heard from Antarctica, the LSU/ATIC experiment on galactic cosmic rays was about to be launched, by high altitude balloon, on a ten to twelve day orbit of the South Pole With the unmanned experiment fully operational and ready for flight, the last, and perhaps greatest, hurdle remains the weather, as Bill Rodman reports from Williams Field, Antarctica.

Up, Up and Away (MPEG file (17.3 MB) ) (12/28/00)

For the last month, WAFB Special Correspondent Bill Rodman has been documenting a Louisiana State University Physics and Astronomy experiment on galactic cosmic rays While the crew of the unmanned high altitude balloon experiment has had their share of bad weather luck the last two weeks, today the LSU/ATIC crew's efforts and patience finally paid off, as Bill Rodman reports from Williams Field, Antarctica.