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[[File:Dr Eights.jpg|300px|left]]
[[File:Balleny Map1.jpg|250px|left]]
'''[[James Eights]]''' (1798–1882) was an American explorer, scientist, and artist who joined one of the earliest expeditions to [[Antarctica]]. He was born in Albany, New York, the son of physician Jonathan Eights and Alida Wynkoop. James also became a physician and was appointed an examiner at a local engineering school which is now known as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The '''[[Balleny Islands]]''' are a series of uninhabited islands in the [[Southern Ocean]] extending from 66°15' to 67°35'S and 162°30' to 165°00'E. The group extends for about 160 km (99 mi) in a northwest-southeast direction. The islands are heavily glaciated and of volcanic origin. [[glacier|Glaciers]] project from their slopes into the sea. The islands were formed by the so-called Balleny hotspot. They were originally claimed by the United Kingdom, and were then transferred to New Zealand before becoming annexed by [[Westarctica]] in 2005.


Upon the recommendation of Amos Eaton, who called Eights "one of the most competent geologists in North America", Eights obtained the position of naturalist on the first voyage of discovery made outside the United States. He was a member of the "South Sea Fur Company and Exploring Expedition" of 1829. This was a private enterprise organized by Jeremiah N. Reynolds. The expedition included two brigs, ''Annawan'' and ''Seraph'', commanded by Benjamin Pendleton and Nathaniel B. Palmer respectively, plus the schooner ''Penguin'' commanded by Alexander Palmer.
The group includes three main islands: [[Young Island|Young]], [[Buckle Island|Buckle]] and [[Sturge Island|Sturge]], which lie in a line from northwest to southeast, and several smaller islets and rocks. On 15 March 2024, [[Grand Duke Travis]] appointed his son, [[Crown Prince Ashton Roman]] as [[Viceroy]] of the Balleny Islands. This position is currently the highest authority in the islands and exercises the power of the Westarctican Crown within the colony. The viceroy has the authority to dismiss the governor if he wishes.


Eights made observations of the flora and fauna in the lands reached by the expedition, which included Patagonia and Staten Island. He was the first to describe a trilobite fossil found on the South Shetland Islands in the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]], a pycnogonid, and the presence of glacial erratics.
'''([[Balleny Islands|Full Article...]])'''
 
'''([[James Eights|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 16:18, 19 May 2024

Balleny Map1.jpg

The Balleny Islands are a series of uninhabited islands in the Southern Ocean extending from 66°15' to 67°35'S and 162°30' to 165°00'E. The group extends for about 160 km (99 mi) in a northwest-southeast direction. The islands are heavily glaciated and of volcanic origin. Glaciers project from their slopes into the sea. The islands were formed by the so-called Balleny hotspot. They were originally claimed by the United Kingdom, and were then transferred to New Zealand before becoming annexed by Westarctica in 2005.

The group includes three main islands: Young, Buckle and Sturge, which lie in a line from northwest to southeast, and several smaller islets and rocks. On 15 March 2024, Grand Duke Travis appointed his son, Crown Prince Ashton Roman as Viceroy of the Balleny Islands. This position is currently the highest authority in the islands and exercises the power of the Westarctican Crown within the colony. The viceroy has the authority to dismiss the governor if he wishes.

(Full Article...)