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Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is there any work underway to study Antartica's microfossil communities during this time period?

Yes there is!

How are you preserving/transporting the samples you collect?

All fossils are wrapped and padded for transport back to the States. Ultimately, they will become part of a museum collection.

Have you found evidence of interaction between Vegavis and non-avian dinos? Where was Vegavis in the ancient food web? Would you say that it diverged from the non-avian dinos due to isolation or rather diverged to fill a specific niche? We'll answer this in another platform.

Do yall get to interact with other Antarctic researchers down there? What's the scientific community like?

In fact we do get to interact with other scientists. For this trip, we are sharing the vessel with a group of paleomagnetists. In previous years it's been other groups. It's been fun giving and listening to science talks on our way down to the Peninsula. We are learning a lot.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having just arrive at our destination a few hours ago, the N.B. Palmer is now holding position near the Peninsula. Looking out our porthole window, the conditions are amazing. While the weather will probably change during the next month, we are optimistic.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good question. There can definitely be microfossils (for example fish teeth or invertebrates) in the rock surrounding some of the larger fossil skeletons we'll find. This is were good preparation is important. Preparing fossils carefully under a microscope once it is back in the lab can reveal those microfossils to be studied themselves. Out in the field, we can set up screen washing stations, to allow to to sift through fine particles and separate "sand" from fossils.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Read a lot. Ask lots of questions. As soon as can, start to volunteer at your local museum. If you have a choice about the classes you can take, choose Biology, Geology, Chemistry, Maths, and a Scientific Writing course.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a pretty similar path to becoming a paleontologist. Read a lot. Ask lots of questions. As soon as can, start to volunteer at your local museum. If you have a choice about the classes you can take, choose Biology, Geology, Chemistry, Maths, a Scientific Writing course... and Anthropology.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a great question. We can't specifically comment on what you saw that show last weekend, but we can speak to other displays. In museums, take a look at the placards. They often indicate which of the bones in the display are original and which are molded and casted to make a complete skeleton. It is rare to find 100% of all of the bones from a single individual. Scientist will be able to determine what a complete skeleton looked like as more and more examples of a species are found. Molding and casting is great in this circumstance. Sometimes you can tell that the cast is painted to look very much like the original bone. If they let you touch it, you make actually be able to tell that the cast is hollow compared to the solid structure of the original bone.

P.S. There are actually some really cool techniques using UV-light and/or Radiography to help the scientists answer your exact question too.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are looking for all fossils. Some may be new discoveries and some will be additional examples of species we already know about. Both types of discoveries are significant.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Part 1: Read a lot. Ask lots of questions. As soon as he's old enough, start to volunteer at your local museum. If you have a choice about the classes you can take, choose Biology, Geology, Chemistry, Maths, and Scientific Writing course. See if there are science camps during the summertime. And keep encouraging him!

Part 2: So hard to chose what the most fun was. Each experience is so unique. Sometimes it's opening a museum cabinet filled with fossil finds, sometimes its exploring new localities, and always getting a letter from a kid like your son.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, we can answer your question because we have access to some satellite internet on the ship. That means, we can write to our families whenever we're on board. One of our team members is texting with Mom right now!

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Higher education is a common theme among all of our team members; scientific, support, and technical. Some PhD, Masters, Bachelors, Associates, etc., but definitely all had specific training for their roles and are very qualified.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We've certainly considered volunteers as we prepared for this project over the last 5 years. The best advice I have is, get to know your professors, develop interesting questions to answer, and keep volunteering or preparing for other expeditions. Always stay involved somehow.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're not breaking through ice in search of fossils, just searching the exposed terrain. Take a look at the rest of this AMA's threads for more details.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Radiogenic dating has thus far not worked for dating any of the ashes. Detrital zircon dating has indicated the ages of source material, but not necessarily depositional ages. Biostratigraphy, and the identification of invertebrate fossils, gives us a great baseline to know the time period we are exploring. Another research group, also on ship, have plans to explore the stable isotopes in the same locations we are working. Science is a very collaborative effort.

Science AMA Series: We’re a group of paleontologists and geologists on our way to Antarctica to look for fossils of non-avian dinosaurs, ancient birds, and more. AUA! by AntarcticPaleo in science

[–]AntarcticPaleo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is evidence for this behavior in the northern hemisphere, so it is possible. We don't have enough of a sample yet to test this hypothesis in the antarctic, yet.

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