About REBECCA PRIESTLEY
I’m a science historian and writer. I write about all sorts of things, but I’m mostly interested in New Zealand’s science history, about which I’ve curated two exhibitions, The Art of Science and Butterflies, Boffins & Black Smokers. I write a regular science column for The Listener, which you can read here, and I’ve completed four books, which you can read more about here. I’m now working on an anthology of Antarctic science, which should be finished ... soon and trying to decide between two new book projects: a worthy history of science biography and a fun contemporary science story. Perhaps I'll do both. I mostly blog when I'm adventuring - most of these posts are from recent trips to Antarctica and the Kermadec Islands.-
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Be careful what you wish for
When I arrived here, I didn’t want to leave. But now our stay has been extended. By a day. By another day. By two more days. On Thursday we did “bag drag,” where our bags were weighed and driven over … Continue reading
Posted in Antarctic, Personal, Travel
Tagged Antarctica, Rebecca Priestley, Scott Base, travel
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A met observation and a visit to Scott’s hut
I woke up this morning to a happy birthday to Alice announcement over the PA, followed by some very loud Christmas music – Santa Claus is Coming to Town. When I got up there were Christmas decorations and trees everywhere. … Continue reading
Posted in Antarctic, Personal, Travel
Tagged Antarctica, Cape Evans, Rebecca Priestley, Scott Base, Stevenson screen, travel, weather
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Big. White. Cold. Awesome.
“The problem is, when you get back, people always ask you what Antarctica is like. What do you say?” said Stu Arnold, our field trainer, shrugging and looking out across the endless white plain of the Ross Ice Shelf. After … Continue reading
Posted in Antarctic, Personal, Travel, Uncategorized
Tagged Antarctica, Rebecca Priestley, Scott Base, travel
7 Comments
I don’t want to go to Antarctica tomorrow
I started today feeling very grumpy about having to go to Antarctica tomorrow. I missed my family as soon as I left for Christchurch, the strawberries in my garden were about to ripen, and I had a headache. And it … Continue reading
Posted in Antarctic, Personal, Travel
Tagged Antarctica, antarctica new zealand, Rebecca Priestley, Scott Base, travel
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My Antarctica playlist
Over the last week, I asked people for recommendations on what I should listen to when I’m in Antarctica. Among the suggestions were “anything by Seal or Penguin Café Orchestra” (thanks Kim!) and “The Happy Feet soundtrack” (um, thanks Andrew!). … Continue reading
Posted in Antarctic, Personal, Travel
Tagged Antarctica, music, Rebecca Priestley, travel
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A feeling for snow
I remember the first time my eyelashes froze together. After a moment of panic – I can’t see! – I rubbed my gloved hands over my eyes and my vision cleared. It happened again, almost instantly, and kept happening until … Continue reading
Posted in Antarctic, Personal
Tagged Greenland, narsarsuaq, Rebecca Priestley, travel
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