![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rosetta.esr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/obtube.jpg\")
<\/a>The ob tube is installed into a hole drilled into the sea ice near dive huts that biologists use for their research while the sea ice is thick enough to support the weight of the huts.\u00a0 The tube extends below the sea ice (which is ~ 2 m thick) and ends in a round viewing area that is only big enough for 1 person. To get to the viewing area, you must climb down the very narrow tube and then a small ladder at the end.\u00a0 The tube is so narrow that you need to take your parka off before you descend to make it easier to climb down.<\/p>\n Once you make it down there, the people up top close the lid to block out the light from above.\u00a0\u00a0 You are left alone to sit quietly and watch the ocean under the sea ice.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The ice is beautiful from below.\u00a0 You can see the algae, which marine creatures use as a food source, growing on the underside of the ice. Tiny fish swim by.\u00a0 And, if you a lucky, you can see a jellyfish or seal. I didn\u2019t see either, but I heard the seals, and the sounds were beautiful.\u00a0 It is not deep here\u00a0 (~8 or 9 m)\u00a0 – so you can see the bottom.<\/p>\n We sat down in the tube for about 10 min each, so we could all get through.\u00a0 The rest of us were waiting on the surface, trying to stay out of the wind and stay warm.\u00a0 It was a very cold day, so we tried to be good about limiting our times.<\/p>\n At the end of the adventure, we checked back in at the firehouse and went to the galley to warm up and eat a late Sunday brunch (another highlight of Sundays!).\u00a0 The rest of the afternoon was spent hanging out in the lounge, watching movies or reading.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Throughout the week, we generally have very long days, 6 days a week.\u00a0 Sunday, however, is our day off.\u00a0 It is a day to have some fun and explore the surroundings (and also get in some much needed rest). On this Sunday, Martin, Maya, Isabel, Alec, and I (all part of the Rosetta-Ice team) decided to use some of our free time to visit the observation tube (or \u201cob tube\u201d for short), which was just recently set up in the sea ice.\u00a0 After a quick breakfast, we set off at 9 am to the firehouse to \u201ccheck out\u201d.\u00a0 Checking out consists of making a list who is in your party, picking up a radio to call back to the firehouse if needed, getting a safety briefing, and stating when we will return (so they can initiate rescue procedures if we aren\u2019t back by that time and don\u2019t call in).\u00a0 After that, we take a short walk out onto the sea ice where the ob tube is located. The ob tube is installed into a hole drilled into the sea ice near dive huts that biologists use for their research while the sea ice is thick enough to support the weight of the huts.\u00a0 The tube extends below the sea ice (which is ~ 2 m thick) and ends in a round viewing area that is only big enough for 1 person. To get to the viewing area, you must climb down the very narrow tube and then a small ladder at the end.\u00a0 The tube is so narrow that you need to take your parka off before you descend to make it easier to climb down. Once you make it down there, the people up top close the lid to block out the light from above.\u00a0\u00a0 You are left alone Continue reading Sundays at McMurdo<\/span><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>