Canadian Polar Year Expedition, 1932–33

Abstract

CANADA'S part in the International Polar Year is to establish a chain of stations not more than 1400 km. apart, connecting Greenland with the United States station at Fairbanks, Alaska, and to provide special magnetic equipment at Meanook, the nearest permanent magnetic observatory to upper air observations, with twice-daily pilot balloon ascents, will be continued throughout the year. The auroral programme will consist of visual observations at specified hours, and as opportunity occurs photographs will be taken. The station is in charge of Mr. J. E. Lilly of Acadia University, the north magnetic pole. For this purpose three expeditions have been sent out, the first to Cape Hope's Advance in Hudson Straits, 1000 km. from the nearest station in Greenland; Chesterfield Inlet on the west coast of Hudson's Bay, 1200 km. away; and finally Copper Mine on the Coronation Gulf, 1300 km. to the west, and a little more than 1500 km. from Fairbanks, Alaska. The accompanying map (Fig. 1) shows the position of these stations, as well as the regular meteorological stations in northern Canada. It may also be mentioned here that at these stations there are well-equipped wireless stations, so that communication can always be obtained with the outside world.