Living and working in the cold

So much wildlife!

POLENET scientists working in the Antarctic will see lots of penguins. They are very funny and often walk right up to you if you sit down quietly.

Do you know an animal that lives in the Arctic?

Some Links:
Arctic studies centre page on Arctic wildlife
Fact files including Antarctic wildlife from the Australian Antarctic Division

Stations and tents

Finding out about the Earth often means being 'out there'. Scientists travel first to a research station or base. Then they often live in tents for weeks at a time while they do their work.

Some Links:
British Antarctic Survey's Antarctic Stations page
The most northerly Arctic Research Station page
Australian Antarctic Division's Antarctic Stations page

Travelling in the polar regions

Getting from the research station to the field location is an exciting part of the field trip. Sometime it is possible to travel over-land, but often scientists have to ride in helicopters or small airplanes fitted with skis for landing on the ice..

Some Links:
Aviation company Borek Air has a gallery of Arctic and Antarctic aviation photos
See also British Antarctic Survey's Aircraft page

Working 'in the field'

POLENET scientists are usually recording some kind of data but electronic instruments can be hard to keep running in the cold. Careful notes from the polar regions are important - that notebook is precious!

Link:
British Antarctic Survey's Living and Working page

A whole community

At Arctic and Antarctic research stations mechanics and other tradespeople are vital in keeping everything running. The person that keeps everyone happy is the chef. On the chef's day-off, someone else tries their hand at cooking.

Some Links:
British Antarctic Survey's Profiles page
The most northerly Arctic Research Station page
Australian Antarctic Division's Living in Antarctica page

Getting along with each other

At a research station it is important to be the kind of person that can get along with other people. Lots of people have a hobby, like playing the guitar. Its great to play in the station band and there is time to practise when the weather is stormy.

Some Links:
British Antarctic Survey's Diaries page
Australian Antarctic Division's Diaries page