Antarctica

Scientists have detected new cracks in the key ice shelf that buttresses Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, indicating that the ice shelf could break apart within the next five years. Why it matters: The destruction of the ice shelf could accelerate the movement of inland ice into the sea, eventually causing sea…

Home News British explorers Justin Packshaw and Jamie Facer Childs are on an 80-day trek across Antarctica. Here, a penguin waddles on drift ice in the Antarctic’s Weddell Sea. (Image credit: Enrique Aguirre Aves/Getty Images) NASA is tracking two explorers on a 2,268-mile (3,650 kilometers) journey across Antarctica to learn…

Antarctica's Thwaites glacier could lose its grip on its seamount within 10 years, which could lead to catastrophic sea level rise and potentially set off a domino effect in surrounding ice Environment 13 December 2021 By Adam Vaughan Thwaites glacier on the West Antarctic ice sheet NASA/OIB/Jeremy Harbeck The front…

Home News Science & Astronomy NASA scientist Jess Bunchek harvesting greens in a 'space greenhouse' in Antarctica. (Image credit: DLR) A greenhouse in Antarctica testing technologies that could one day grow food for Mars colonists has produced an abundant harvest of greens, vegetables and spices completely without soil and natural…

Home News An illustration of Antarctica, separated from the other continents. (Image credit: LEONELLO CALVETTI via Getty Images) Antarctica, the fifth-largest continent, is commonly known for penguins, massive calving ice shelves and failed exploratory expeditions. But this frozen swath on the bottom of the world wasn't always so isolated; it…

In 1981, as a young scientist, I applied for my dream job as a geologist with the British Antarctic Survey. As a child, I had adored snow and ice. Winter was my favorite season (and still is). My most cherished book was Wilson A. Bentley’s atlas of snowflake photographs, and…

Earth was perfectly aligned with the moon and sun on Saturday, December 4, creating the only total solar eclipse of 2021 and plunging Antarctica into darkness. Although the eclipse was partially visible from parts of Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa, only a few lucky observers saw the full…

The vast, turbulent Southern Ocean circling Antarctica has an unexpected claim to fame: It’s one of the planet’s most important natural climate tools. Like all the world’s oceans, it draws carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and into the water. But the Southern Ocean is a special case; it stores…

Home News During totality, which lasted about 1 minute and 54 seconds, moon's shadow blocked the sun's rays. (Image credit: Andrew Studer) On Dec. 4, 2021, a total solar eclipse dazzled a few thousand lucky people in Antarctica and countless penguins, who got to witness nearly two minutes of totality…

Home News Skywatching Editor's note: The only total solar eclipse of 2021 occurred Saturday, Dec. 4, over Antarctica, where few people could see it. Some intrepid explorers, like our columnist Joe Rao, attempted to see the eclipse from cruise ships near Antarctica. Here's what Joe and his ship saw. FROM…