NORWAY 2018

Norway 2018

I'll be heading to Norway in February to man a camera site for  the AZURE mission launching from Andenes in March.

Here's how I locate these remote camera sites.  First, I look for possible towns on google earth.  Then, I compare that to the airbnb map of lodging options.  By comparing the maps and pictures of houses, I can determine exactly where the house is located.  Many are ruled out because of mountains in the direction the cameras would be pointing.  Others are ruled out based on streetlights or close neighbors.

I found a place to rent, in Gjesvær.  Since there were too many lights at the house, the owner suggested I set up at the school.  Her daughter is a teacher there so details were worked out fairly easily.  I've packed a large box of NASA teaching materials for her :)  The school has seven students, ages 8-16.  Lucky for me, at the back of the school is the unused kindergarten section.

Gjesvær is a fishing village with 120 inhabitants.  It's popular for both birdwatchers and fishing.  Puffins!

There is one road leading to it and, in the winter, there are always two snow plows on it.  The advice I was given is to follow a snow plow :) I can't believe there is a youtube video of this very drive!  At the end, straight ahead is the school I will be setting up at.

Gjesvær road

Because of the road, I was advised to rent a 4wd vehicle.  No car rentals at the airport but one garage in Honningsvåg that will drop a car off at the airport for me.  I wouldn't normally rent a BMW, but that's all that is available in 4wd.  The sacrifices I make for this job...