Coldest Place on Earth - in Antarctica, of course

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the coldest place on Earth, specifically the East Antarctic Plateau, and the implications of extreme cold temperatures. Participants explore the scientific findings regarding temperature records, the formation of dry ice, and the effects of wind chill in extremely low temperatures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference NASA's findings that the East Antarctic Plateau is the coldest place on Earth, with recorded temperatures reaching minus 136° F (minus 93.2° C).
  • One participant questions whether the temperatures are lower than the sublimation temperature for CO2, suggesting the possibility of dry ice snow on the plateau.
  • Another participant clarifies that while CO2 freezes at -78.5 °C, dry ice would not form in Antarctica due to its low atmospheric abundance.
  • Participants discuss the impact of wind chill on perceived temperatures, noting that extreme cold can occur even in still air, as seen in Yakutia, Siberia.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the temperature data, particularly regarding the formation of dry ice and the effects of wind chill. No consensus is reached on these points.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the atmospheric conditions necessary for dry ice formation and the specific effects of wind chill at extremely low temperatures.

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What’s the coldest spot on Earth? NASA has pinpointed it — and the nights are deadly​

https://www.yahoo.com/news/coldest-spot-earth-nasa-pinpointed-125903009.html

The National Snow and Ice Data Center concluded the East Antarctic Plateau was the coldest place in the world after analyzing 32 years of data from several satellites, NASA says. The hollows on the plateau are considered the coldest spots.

“Near a high ridge that runs from Dome Arugs to Dome Fuji, the scientists found clusters of pockets that have plummeted to record low temperatures dozens of times,” officials reported. “The lowest temperature the satellites detected - minus 136° F (minus 93.2° C), on Aug. 10, 2010.”

Scientists attribute the plateau’s dangerous temperatures to a combination of air that is “stationary for extended periods, while continuing to radiate more heat away into space.”

However, the plateau is not “the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth,” experts say. That’s located in northeast Siberia, “where temperatures dropped to a bone-chilling 90 degrees below zero F (minus 67.8° C) in the towns of Verkhoyansk (in 1892) and Oimekon (in 1933).”
 
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Isn't that lower than the sublimation temperature for CO2 at atmospheric pressure? (−78.5 °C)

Do they get dry ice snow on that Plateau?
 
anorlunda said:
Do they get dry ice snow on that Plateau?
Think about it....
 
"Carbon dioxide freezes at -78.5 degrees Celsius or -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit under atmospheric pressures. The coldest (we know) it has reached in Antarctica is about -93 degrees C. However, dry ice will not form there. This is because it has a very low abundance in the earth's atmosphere, about 0.04% by volume"
http://scienceline.ucsb.edu
 
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“The lowest temperature the satellites detected - minus 136° F (minus 93.2° C), on Aug. 10, 2010.”
And when you add in wind chill, that's pretty cold... :oldbiggrin:
If you have any brass monkeys, better put 'em in a warm spot.
 
Mark44 said:
And when you add in wind chill, that's pretty cold... :oldbiggrin:
If you have any brass monkeys, better put 'em in a warm spot.
Although there is no wind at really cold temperatures, forget the reason, but its also the case in Yakutia in Siberia where temps get below -60C
 

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