Images, video and reports from an opportunistic visit to Heard Island and McDonald Islands in December, 2008

In December 2008, the RSV Aurora Australis had an opportunity to visit Heard Island and McDonald Islands. A number of activities took place and included:- An aerial survey (16th December) from the north coast of Red Island (west end) to the end of The Spit. The helicopter flew approximately 1.5 km offshore and at an altitude of about 1900 ft. Then it flew directly to the west coast and surveyed from Henderson Bluff to Kildalke. Video, stereo photos and photos of wildlife colonies and areas of interest were taken. - An aerial survey (17th December) from The Spit travelling along the south coast. Then repeating the aerial survey of the 16th. The survey of the 16th was in dull light and was repeated on the 17th when light was better. - A ship-based survey from Atlas Roads to the north coast of The Spit was made on the 16th December and from Atlas Roads to Red Island on the 17th December. Stereo photos, photos of wildlife and named features and video were taken about 2nm offshore.- A team of people visited Atlas Cove and assessed the huts and ruins, took stereo photos of heritage items and elephant seals.- A small team flew around the Island and assessed and photographed the hut sites.- On the 17th December, the RSV Aurora Australis sailed past McDonald Islands. Visibility was poor so only a few photos were taken. - Water samples were taken for AAS Project 2899.More information is included in documents and spreadsheets, including some GPS locations of where photographs were taken, by whom and photo descriptions.

2008年12月，南极光号科考船（RSV Aurora Australis）获机造访赫德岛和麦克唐纳群岛（Heard Island and McDonald Islands），期间开展多项科考作业，具体如下：
- 12月16日航空测绘作业：航线从雷德岛（Red Island）北海岸（西端）延伸至斯皮特岬（The Spit）末端。直升机距海岸约1.5公里飞行，飞行高度约1900英尺，随后直飞西海岸，开展从亨德森断崖（Henderson Bluff）至基达尔克（Kildalke）的测绘作业。作业期间采集了野生动物群落、重点区域的视频、立体照片与普通影像资料。
- 12月17日航空测绘作业：先沿南海岸从斯皮特岬出发飞行，随后重复16日的航空测绘流程。因16日测绘时光线昏暗效果不佳，故于光线条件更佳的17日完成补测。
- 船载测绘作业：12月16日完成从阿特拉斯水道（Atlas Roads）至斯皮特岬北海岸的测绘；12月17日的船载测绘航线调整为从阿特拉斯水道至雷德岛。作业期间在离岸约2海里（nm）处采集了立体照片、野生动物与地标影像及视频资料。
- 科考团队造访阿特拉斯湾（Atlas Cove），对棚屋与遗迹进行勘查评估，采集了遗产遗存与象海豹（elephant seals）的立体照片。
- 小型飞行团队环绕该岛飞行，对棚屋遗址进行勘查与拍摄。
- 12月17日，南极光号科考船驶过麦克唐纳群岛，因能见度不佳仅拍摄少量照片。
- 采集水样用于澳大利亚南极局（AAS）项目2899（AAS Project 2899）。

更多相关信息（包括照片拍摄的GPS位置、拍摄者及照片说明）已收录于相关文档与电子表格中。