NL001-004_057
Source: Alfred Wegener, Tagebücher, June 1906 – August 1908. DMA NL 001/004.
[057] solches über Nordlicht. Auch Luftelektrizität dürfte jetzt nicht mehr fehlen. Meteorologische Optik dürfte gerade deswegen ein sehr dankbares Kapitel in solch einem Werk bilden, weil man es hier meist mit zufälligen Beobachtungen zu tun hat, und nicht viel Instrumente dazu braucht. Vielleicht war auch ein besonderes Kapitel über Gletscher-, Inland- und Polareisprobleme sowie Forschungsmethoden am Platze. Auf alle Fälle ist der Umstand, daß auf die Polarexpeditionen, bei denen doch dies Werk naturgemäß mit an erster Stelle Anwendung zu finden berufen ist, prinzipiell keinerlei Rücksicht genommen ist.
Bis jetzt glaube ich Material zu folgenden meteorlogischen Spezialuntersuchungen zu bekommen:
1. Barometrische Depressionen und Stürme.
2. Barometrische Elementardepressionen.
3. Föhnartige Temperatursteigerungen und ihre Erklärung.
4. Täglicher Gang der meteor. Elemente in den untersten 30 m.
5. Refraktionsanomalien.
6. Instrumentelles.
7. Resultate der Drachen- und Ballonaufsteige.
8. Resultate von Nordlichtbeobachtungen.
[057] such a chapter on the northern lights. Atmospheric electricity must now also be included. Meteorological optics would be a very rewarding chapter in such a work for the reason that one is mostly concerned here with incidental observations, and not many instruments are required. Perhaps a special chapter about glacier, inland and polar ice problems as well as research methods would be suitable, too. In any case, we are currently faced with the fact that it scarcely considers polar expeditions at all, even though this work, by its nature, ought to be one of the primary resources used on them.
So far, I believe that I will be able to gather material for the following special meteorological investigations:
1. Barometric depressions and storms.
2. Barometric elementary depressions.
3. Foehn-like temperature increases and explanations for them.
4. Daily operation of the meteorological elements in the bottom 30 m [of the atmosphere].
5. Refraction anomalies.
6. Instrumental concerns.
7. Results of the kite and balloon deployments.
8. Results from the observations of the northern lights.
The Wegener Diaries: Scientific Expeditions into the Eternal Ice
This virtual exhibition sheds light on Alfred Wegener’s expeditions to Greenland between 1906 and 1931. Its main focus is on the diaries Wegener wrote during his explorations, which offer unique insights into the manifold challenges man and material faced in Greenland’s extreme environments. You may choose to read the diaries in their original state, or browse the expeditions individually and read transcribed and translated excerpts by clicking on the individual chapters.
This version, published in 2020, includes minor updates to the original 2013 virtual exhibition. PDFs of the virtual exhibition, as well as original scans and transcripts of the Wegener Diaries, can be found at the exhibition’s PDF Depot.
Christian KehrtAbout the author
