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Is the Canadian Arctic the Future of Astronomy?
sciencehabit writes "Frigid temperatures, dry air, and endless nights should, in theory, make the polar regions top spots for ground-based optical astronomy. So far, Antarctica has been getting all the action, with a handful of optical telescopes peering into the sky from the icy continent. But a new study indicates that the Canadian high Arctic is also a good spot for ground-based optical astronomy. In fact, the great white north offers some practical advantages over the Antarctic."
It's hard to believe the US can be the future of any scientific endeavour.
Nunuvut is actually fairly close to the current location of the north magnetic pole. This can be annoying (as in Aurora Borealis light pollution) or useful (cosmic ray telescopes). I just noticed that google maps only covers up to 85 degrees latitude. How many school kids are getting a distorted view that the earth stops there? What are the spy satellites not showing us in that 300 mile wide band between 85 north and the north pole, Santa?
In addition to the scientific benefits, scientists can also finally put to rest the stereotype that nerds are weaklings. Since they will have nothing else to do during downtime, they can prove how manly they are through engaging in polar bear combat and then blogging about how to prepare and eat polar bear steaks. Nothing manlier.
Monstar L
If you're using Mercator you're not really into maps.
http://xkcd.com/977/
Watch this Heartland Institute video
Actually, globes are not provided, for fear of upsetting those who believe the Earth is flat.