WEATHER ALERT
Recent whale deaths highlight risks from Antarctica's booming krill fishery
Read full article: Recent whale deaths highlight risks from Antarctica's booming krill fisheryThe Associated Press has learned that two humpback whales were found dead and another seriously injured this year in huge nets used to collect krill for fishmeal and human dietary supplements near Antarctica.
Wreck of the last ship of famed Anglo-Irish explorer Shackleton found off the coast of Canada
Read full article: Wreck of the last ship of famed Anglo-Irish explorer Shackleton found off the coast of CanadaThe wreck of the last ship belonging to a famous Irish-born British explorer of Antarctica has been found off the coast of Canada by an international team led by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Penguin parents sleep for just a few seconds at a time to guard newborns, study shows
Read full article: Penguin parents sleep for just a few seconds at a time to guard newborns, study showsResearchers have discovered that some penguin parents sleep for only seconds at a time around-the-clock to protect their eggs and chicks.
One of world's largest icebergs drifting beyond Antarctic waters after it was grounded for 3 decades
Read full article: One of world's largest icebergs drifting beyond Antarctic waters after it was grounded for 3 decadesThe British Antarctic Survey says that one of the world’s largest icebergs is drifting beyond Antarctic waters after being grounded for more than three decades.
'We absolutely need to act immediately,' says UN chief during visit to Antarctica ahead of COP28
Read full article: 'We absolutely need to act immediately,' says UN chief during visit to Antarctica ahead of COP28Ahead of international climate talks, U_N_ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited globally-important Antarctica, where ice that’s been frozen for millions of years is melting due to human-caused climate change, sending the message that “we absolutely need to act immediately.”.
Ozone hole is about average size, despite undersea volcano eruption that was expected to worsen it
Read full article: Ozone hole is about average size, despite undersea volcano eruption that was expected to worsen itWith last year’s undersea volcano injecting massive amounts of water high into the atmosphere, scientists were bracing for a big Antarctica ozone hole this fall.
Factory fishing in Antarctica for krill targets the cornerstone of a fragile ecosystem
Read full article: Factory fishing in Antarctica for krill targets the cornerstone of a fragile ecosystemFishing for krill is banned in U.S. waters due to concerns it could impact whales, seals and other animals that feed on the shrimp-like creatures.
Takeaways from AP's investigation into sexual harassment and assault at Antarctica's McMurdo Station
Read full article: Takeaways from AP's investigation into sexual harassment and assault at Antarctica's McMurdo StationMany women who work at McMurdo Station, the main United States research base in Antarctica, say the isolated environment and macho culture have allowed sexual harassment and assault to flourish.
Women working in Antarctica say they were left to fend for themselves against sexual harassers
Read full article: Women working in Antarctica say they were left to fend for themselves against sexual harassersMany women who work at McMurdo Station, the main United States research base in Antarctica, say the isolated environment and macho culture have allowed sexual harassment and assault to flourish.
Even frozen Antarctica is being walloped by climate extremes, scientists find
Read full article: Even frozen Antarctica is being walloped by climate extremes, scientists findA new study concludes that Antarctica is already being and will continue to be affected by more frequent and severe extreme weather events, a known byproduct of human-caused climate change.
Russia, China block plans for Antarctic marine protections
Read full article: Russia, China block plans for Antarctic marine protectionsRussia and China have again blocked plans supported by the European Union, the United States and 23 other nations to protect three vast stretches of ocean around Antarctica from most fishing.
China blocks moves to step up protection of emperor penguins
Read full article: China blocks moves to step up protection of emperor penguinsOfficials say China has blocked efforts to step up protection of emperor penguins that are increasingly threatened by the effects global warming is having on their natural habitat in Antarctica.
‘Finest wooden shipwreck’ discovered more than 100 years after it sank in Antarctica
Read full article: ‘Finest wooden shipwreck’ discovered more than 100 years after it sank in AntarcticaEndurance belonged to Sir Ernest Shackleton, who led a crew of 27-men and 69 dogs who attempted to traverse the continent via the South Pole and establish a base on the coast of the Weddell Sea.
World’s largest iceberg breaks free in Antartica. Is it a cause for concern?
Read full article: World’s largest iceberg breaks free in Antartica. Is it a cause for concern?Is this something to be concerned about? Many scientists feel it isn’t, but then again, it’s not everyday an iceberg the size of Rhode Island breaks free from Antarctica.
Icebreaker leaves Australia after 150 Antarctica trips
Read full article: Icebreaker leaves Australia after 150 Antarctica tripsHOBART – The giant orange icebreaker Aurora Australis left Australia for the final time on Saturday after more than 150 trips to Antarctica. The 95-meter (312-foot) Aurora Australis was built in Newcastle north of Sydney and launched in September 1989. It undertook its maiden voyage to Heard Island, an external Australian territory in Antarctica, in 1990. “To suddenly have that leaving your life, it leaves a bit of a hole.”Lawrence was aboard the Aurora Australis when it ran aground near Mawson Station in Antarctica during a blizzard in 2016. The Aurora Australis will be replaced by the $398 million RSV Nuyina, named after a Tasmanian Aboriginal word for southern lights.
First US spring flight to Antarctica aims to keep out virus
Read full article: First US spring flight to Antarctica aims to keep out virusStaff board a U.S. Air Force C-17 as they prepare to take the season's first flight to McMurdo Station in Antarctica from Christchurch Airport, New Zealand, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. The first U.S. flight into Antarctica following months of winter darkness left from New Zealand Monday with crews extra vigilant about keeping out the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)WELLINGTON – The first U.S. flight into Antarctica following months of winter darkness left from New Zealand on Monday with crews taking extra precautions to keep out the coronavirus. Antarctica is the only continent without the virus, and there is a global effort to make sure incoming scientists and workers don’t bring it with them. The U.S. Air Force flight left from the gateway city of Christchurch carrying 106 passengers and crew, said Tony German, the U.S. Antarctic program's representative in New Zealand.
Antarctica is still free of COVID-19. Can it stay that way?
Read full article: Antarctica is still free of COVID-19. Can it stay that way?That world is Antarctica, the only continent without COVID-19. “I’m sure there’s a lot they can tell us that will help us adapt to the new way of things,” Taylor said. As a frightened world was locking down in March, the Antarctic programs agreed the pandemic could become a major disaster. To limit contact between Antarctic workers and flight crew, the plane contains a separate toilet facility mounted on a pallet. As colleagues arrive, Heard will leave Antarctica.
Vast iceberg bigger than Los Angeles breaks off Antarctic shelf
Read full article: Vast iceberg bigger than Los Angeles breaks off Antarctic shelfAustralian Antarctic Program(CNN) - A enormous iceberg bigger than Los Angeles or Greater London has separated from the Amery Ice Shelf in Antarctica, the largest to do so in more than half a century. The table iceberg, named D-28 by scientists, broke off the shelf in east Antarctica on September 26. Scientists from the Australian Antarctic Program, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego have watched developments on the ice shelf for almost 20 years, after first spotting a rift developing in the early 2000s. In a statement released by the Australian Arctic Division, she said: "I am excited to see this calving event after all these years. She and her colleagues had been keeping an eye on a nearby location known as "Loose Tooth" since 2002 because of its shape and its precarious attachment to the ice shelf.
Wanted: Design team for building project in Antarctica
Read full article: Wanted: Design team for building project in AntarcticaThe government of New Zealand is looking for a crew to lead the redevelopment of its research headquarters in Antarctica. The government of New Zealand is looking for a crew to lead the redevelopment of its research headquarters in Antarctica. Built in the 1980s, the country's Scott Base consists of 12 structures that officials want replaced by three large, interconnected buildings, plus a separate helicopter hangar. Construction workers could spend a year on siteIt's not clear immediately how long the base construction will take, Shelton told CNN. Scott Base is on a low volcanic headland called Pram Point, about 2,400 miles (3,800 km) south of Christchurch and about 840 miles (1,350 km) from the South Pole.
Supernova dust found in snow from Antarctica
Read full article: Supernova dust found in snow from AntarcticaResearchers have found dust from an exploded star, or supernova, in snow from Antarctica, according to a study published this month. (CNN) - Researchers have found dust from an exploded star, or supernova, in snow from Antarctica, according to a study published this month. A supernova occurs when a star explodes and produces clouds or gas and dust enriched with radioisotopes. Koll told CNN that researchers made the discovery after shipping 500 kg (about 1,100 pounds) of snow from Antarctica to a research facility in Munich, Germany. Researchers were able to determine that the most likely source of the iron-60 found in the Antarctic snow was star dust, Koll said.
Asteroid narrowly misses Earth
Read full article: Asteroid narrowly misses EarthJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It was a "close call" Thursday morning when an astroid came within 27,000 miles from crashing into our planet. For perspective, the astroid called 2012 TC4 came much closer to Earth than the moon's position 240,000 miles away or just a few thousand miles from the position of geostationary satellite orbits. The crescent moon, will pass in front of the star blocking the starlight at 5:31:35 a.m.over the First Coast. The best part will be watching its reappearance along the top upper part of the Moon's dark limb minutes to more than an hour later. This lunar occultation will occur about two hours before sunrise at 7:30 a.m. offering great viewing in the predawn darkness.