){kind=logo}
Author: Keith Cowing, Dale Andersen
Thursday, Jan 29, 2026
At a Glance — Lake Untersee Field Update (Jan. 21–24, 2026)
|
|
Updates
|
Originally written by Keith Cowing, published on Astrobiology.com here. Previous reports back to 1996 are available at https://astrobiology.com/dale-andersens-field-reports.
Lake Untersee, Antarctica — Google Earth
Hi Keith,
The past couple of days brought low clouds, some drifting snow, and steady winds that peaked around 30 m/s (~67 mph).
Today, the sun made a welcome return and although the wind stayed brisk through much of the day, conditions were stable enough for us to get some solid work done. We collected glacial ice, took air samples for environmental DNA, and began melting out the instruments we deployed in the lake last season—those measuring dissolved oxygen and light.
Also, just so you’re aware, we’ve got a small Ambient WS-4000 weather station set up near camp. When it’s online, it shares our current weather conditions in real time.
— Dale —
Keith’s note: You can see the temperature and wind data as of 9:00 pm EST 21 January 2026
Satellite image as of 9:15 pm EST
Keith’s note: These are weather shots from The Ultima Ice Airstrip and Novo Station from earlier in the day.
Keith’s note: Astrobiologist Dale Andersen is heading back in Antarctica at Lake Untersee in January-February 2026 for another field season of research.
Dale and I have been proving research updates – from Antarctica – since 1996. We think we actually had the first webserver (located in my old condo) updated from Antarctica. More details here: Dale Andersen’s 1996 Antarctic Field Research Photo Albums
Originally written by Keith Cowing, published on Astrobiology.com here. Previous reports back to 1996 are available at https://astrobiology.com/dale-andersens-field-reports.
Location of Dale’s base camp on the shore of Lake Untersee, Antarctica — Google Earth
Keith’s note: A quick snapshot of the weather at Lake Untersee and A forecast for the coming week. Dale’s team has a small Ambient WS-4000 weather station set up near camp. When it’s online, it shares their current weather conditions in real time.
Wind conditions
Current temperature
Weather forecast for the coming week courtesy of Gemini. Note their mention of Dale’s updates.
Lake Untersee, Antarctica, expect typical late-January summer conditions characterized by 24-hour daylight, stable but cool temperatures, and persistent southeasterly winds. While the region is a polar desert, intermittent light snow showers are likely throughout the week.
7-Day Weather Forecast (January 25 – January 31, 2026)
| Date | Conditions | High / Low Temp | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jan 25 | Cloudy with a chance of light snow | 16°F / 10°F (-9°C / -12°C) | SE 22 mph |
| Mon, Jan 26 | Mostly cloudy; persistent breeze | 20°F / 13°F (-7°C / -11°C) | SE 24 mph |
| Tue, Jan 27 | Partly sunny; risk of evening snow showers | 17°F / 9°F (-8°C / -13°C) | SE 20 mph |
| Wed, Jan 28 | Light morning snow followed by clearing | 15°F / 8°F (-9°C / -13°C) | SE 13 mph |
| Thu, Jan 29 | Sunny intervals with scattered night clouds | 15°F / 3°F (-9°C / -16°C) | S 15 mph |
| Fri, Jan 30 | Partly sunny; stable conditions | 16°F / 9°F (-9°C / -13°C) | SE 13 mph |
| Sat, Jan 31 | Partly sunny and calm | 14°F / 9°F (-10°C / -13°C) | SE 13 mph |
Key Advisories for Field Teams
- Extreme Wind Risks: Although average winds are moderate (13–24 mph), this region is prone to sudden “blizzard conditions” with gusts that can peak over 67 mph (30 m/s). Ensure all base camp tents and equipment are securely anchored.
- Visibility: Rapid changes in visibility are common during even light snow showers.
- UV Exposure: Despite the cold, the 24-hour sun results in constant UV exposure; high-SPF protection is necessary for outdoor work.
- Real-time Updates: For the latest on-site conditions, field teams often monitor Dale Andersen’s Astrobiology Antarctic Status Reports.
News
Related News
Jun 4, 2026
SETI Institute In the News: May Roundup 2026
#SETI Institute in the News #SETI Institute #Community #Solar System #Matija Ćuk #Neptune #SETI #Bill Diamond #UAPs #Drake Awards #Lori Marino #Matthew Tiscareno #Outreach #Exoplanets #Carl Sagan Center
Jun 1, 2026
SETI Institute Awards $1 Million in STRIDE Grants to Advance Astrobiology, Exoplanet Science, and Public Engagement
#Press Releases #STRIDE #Research #Carl Sagan Center #Spectroscopy #Solar System #SETI #Climate and Bioscience #Astronomy #Astrobiology #Exoplanets #Data Science #Education #Outreach #Hat Creek Radio Observatory #Unistellar #SkyMapper
May 13, 2026
SETI Institute to Honor Dr. Matthew Tiscareno with 2026 Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award
The Drake Awards event will also recognize SETI Forward and SETI Institute REU student award recipients. #Press Releases #Drake Awards #Frank Drake #SETI #Awards #Planetary Astronomy #Astrobiology #SETI Forward #Education #Carl Sagan Center #Matthew Tiscareno #Nathalie Cabrol #REU
May 4, 2026
SETI Institute Announces Nominees for the Speculative Life BioArt Residency
Six international artists shortlisted for a new residency at the intersection of art, astrobiology, and biotechnology #AIR #SETI Institute #Speculative Life #Astrobiology #Danielle Siembieda #Nathalie Cabrol
Apr 27, 2026
Rethinking Organics on Mars
By Nathalie A. Cabrol, Director of the Carl Sagan Center for Research, SETI Institute #Mars #Astrobiology #Solar System #Curiosity Rover #NASA Missions and Observatories #Nathalie Cabrol
Apr 21, 2026
SETI Institute Launches Discovery and Futures Lab to Explore the Human Dimensions of Life Beyond Earth
New initiative bridges science, society, and the future of discovery in astrobiology and SETI #Press Releases #Discovery and Futures Lab #Lucian Walkowicz #Chelsea Haramia #Carl Sagan Center #Nathalie Cabrol #Simon Steel #Bill Diamond #Astrobiology #SETI
Jun 4, 2026
#SETI Institute in the News
#SETI Institute
#Community
#Solar System
#Matija Ćuk
#Neptune
#SETI
#Bill Diamond
#UAPs
#Drake Awards
#Lori Marino
#Matthew Tiscareno
#Outreach
#Exoplanets
#Carl Sagan Center
Jun 1, 2026
#Press Releases
#STRIDE
#Research
#Carl Sagan Center
#Spectroscopy
#Solar System
#SETI
#Climate and Bioscience
#Astronomy
#Astrobiology
#Exoplanets
#Data Science
#Education
#Outreach
#Hat Creek Radio Observatory
#Unistellar
#SkyMapper
SETI Institute Awards $1 Million in STRIDE Grants to Advance Astrobiology, Exoplanet Science, and Public Engagement
May 13, 2026
SETI Institute to Honor Dr. Matthew Tiscareno with 2026 Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award
The Drake Awards event will also recognize SETI Forward and SETI Institute REU student award recipients.
#Press Releases
#Drake Awards
#Frank Drake
#SETI
#Awards
#Planetary Astronomy
#Astrobiology
#SETI Forward
#Education
#Carl Sagan Center
#Matthew Tiscareno
#Nathalie Cabrol
#REU
May 4, 2026
SETI Institute Announces Nominees for the Speculative Life BioArt Residency
Six international artists shortlisted for a new residency at the intersection of art, astrobiology, and biotechnology
#AIR
#SETI Institute
#Speculative Life
#Astrobiology
#Danielle Siembieda
#Nathalie Cabrol
Apr 27, 2026
Rethinking Organics on Mars
By Nathalie A. Cabrol, Director of the Carl Sagan Center for Research, SETI Institute
#Mars
#Astrobiology
#Solar System
#Curiosity Rover
#NASA Missions and Observatories
#Nathalie Cabrol
Apr 21, 2026
SETI Institute Launches Discovery and Futures Lab to Explore the Human Dimensions of Life Beyond Earth
New initiative bridges science, society, and the future of discovery in astrobiology and SETI
#Press Releases
#Discovery and Futures Lab
#Lucian Walkowicz
#Chelsea Haramia
#Carl Sagan Center
#Nathalie Cabrol
#Simon Steel
#Bill Diamond
#Astrobiology
#SETI
Research
Related Projects
SkyMapper • SETI • Citizen Science • Astronomy
SkyMapper: Expanding Access to Real-time Astronomy Through a Global Astronomical Network
SkyMapper and the SETI Institute are connecting educators, students and the public to live astronomical observations through a distributed astronomical network. #SkyMapper #SETI #Citizen Science #Astronomy
VPL
Virtual Planetary Laboratory
How can we best assess whether an exoplanet supports life? #VPL
Discovery and Futures Lab
Discovery and Futures Lab
What happens if life beyond Earth is discovered? The Discovery and Futures Lab at the SETI Institute fosters novel and anticipatory research at the intersection of science, society, our planet, and the search for life beyond Earth. #Discovery and Futures Lab
May 17, 2026
SkyMapper: Expanding Access to Real-time Astronomy Through a Global Astronomical Network
SkyMapper and the SETI Institute are connecting educators, students and the public to live astronomical observations through a distributed astronomical network.
#SkyMapper
#SETI
#Citizen Science
#Astronomy
May 5, 2026
Virtual Planetary Laboratory
How can we best assess whether an exoplanet supports life?
#VPL
Apr 16, 2026
Discovery and Futures Lab
What happens if life beyond Earth is discovered? The Discovery and Futures Lab at the SETI Institute fosters novel and anticipatory research at the intersection of science, society, our planet, and the search for life beyond Earth.
#Discovery and Futures Lab
Support Us
Support the
SETI Institute
Scientists are getting closer in their search for life beyond earth. But with limited federal funding for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, supporters are the reason cutting-edge scientists can keep their eyes on the sky.
