In the circle

"Stand outside at about 11:00 tomorrow. You should see a dotted red line in the water." 

- one of the PhD students on board, obviously being ridiculous 

When you cross the Arctic Circle, nothing much happens. The lines we're so used to seeing on maps are not present in the real world. There's no sudden change in wind direction, no drop in air or water temperature. A wave does not swell up and high-five you for arriving in the Arctic (although that would be pretty sweet). You just...keep moving forward. 

The larval lab is ready to go!

As uneventful as today's line-crossing may have been, the science party on board R/V Polarstern is getting excited. Last night's sunset was our last one for a month. The wind chill outside requires the donning of multiple layers now. Every sign points to the fact that our week-long transit from Germany to the Fram Strait is nearly over. 

At this point, we are all more than ready for our first samples. The equipment has been fully unpacked, set up, and tested. Earlier today, my postdoc and I even had enough spare time to "decorate" our corner of the lab. Last year's specimen photos adorn the walls, serving simultaneously as a quick reference identification guide and inspiring scientific feng shui. 

I am excited to be back in the high Arctic!