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Happy Midwinter to all Polar explorers!
On the eve of the Midwinter Day, a photo exhibition about the war in Ukraine was opened at Vernadsky
The geomagnetic observatory at Vernadsky has been modernized - it operates at the highest world level
The Antarctic Treaty blocked the political initiatives of the Russian Federation - for this it decided to take revenge on the nature of the icy continent
Using the RV Noosfera and Ukrainian yachts, our scientists have expanded the study of unique organisms in Antarctica
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6 facts about Antarctica
In 1820, at once three expeditions discovered Antarctica. On January 28, Russian expedition under the command of Fabian Gottlieb Thaddeus von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev was stopped by ice 20 km away from Alexander I Land. Only in 1940 it became clear that this land was an island separated from the mainland by a strait. The deputy commander of the sloop "Vostok" in this expedition was Ivan Zavodovsky, a nobleman from Poltava region. On January 30, the British expedition of Edward Bransfield had also seen Antarctica. Finally, in November, the American whaling ship of Captain Nathaniel Palmer had approached the continent.
The area of Antarctica is 10% of the Earth's surface. It is 22 times larger than the territory of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian, Anton Omelchenko, participated in the first expedition to the South Pole led in 1911 by Robert Scott, British Royal Navy officer. When the expedition moved to the pole, Anton transported it by ponies to the middle of the Ross Ice Shelf. Since ponies could not go further, Omelchenko returned with them to the base. Robert Scott and his five companions died. The name of Omelchenko and other members of this expedition are listed as members of the Royal Geographical Society of the Great Britain. Great Britain has set Omelchenko a lifetime pension. The character of the conqueror of Antarctica passed to his descendants - Anton Omelchenko’s great-grandson, who lives in Poltava region, spent a year in an expedition at Akademik Vernadsky station.
The phone code of Antarctica is +682; the continent also has its own flag (white continent on a blue background), but there are neither institute of citizenship, nor the government, because there is no resident population. The only people who live on the ice continent for a certain time are scientists. In summer, the number of scientists and support staff throughout the continent is about 5,000 persons and in winter no more than 1,000 people work here.
Ukraine is one of the 30 countries that have their permanent stations in Antarctica operating all the year round. The station "Akademik Vernadsky" is located on Galindez Island.
Ukraine conducts regular monitoring in Antarctica since 1996 and some parameters of climate and air are being measured for the longest period in the whole Antarctica – since 1940 – 60s.
There is no permanent population in Antarctica. The only people, who live there for some time are scientists. In summer, the number of scientists and supporting personal at the whole continent reach to around 5,000 people, whereas in winter there are not more than 1000 people.
Antarctica is the best place for search for meteorites. Meteorites, which fall into Antarctic ice cover, got preserved better than in any other place at the Earth.
Antarctica is the best place for search for meteorites. Meteorites, which fall into Antarctic ice cover, got preserved better than in any other place at the Earth.
Antarctica is the only place in the Earth, where Imperator penguins can be found. They are the highest and the biggest out of all penguins and the only specie, who mate during Antarctic winter.
There are few terrestrial animals in Antarctica. Here there are no flying insects due to extreme winds. This is the only continent, where there is no local ant species.
Around 90% of world ice is concentrated in Antarctica. The average thickness of the ice at the continent is around 2133 m. If all ice of Antartica will melt, the sea level will raise for 61 m.
The former name of the Antarctic station “Academician Vernadsky” is “Faraday” and it was founded by British. In February 1996 for the symbolic payment in one pound, the station was officially transferred to Ukraine by British Antarctic Service and renamed into “Academician Vernadsky”. It was done due to huge support from the side of the Ukrainian ambassador in London, Academician-biologist Sergiy Komisarenko. So Ukraine returned into the “club” of Antarctic states (first its researches were done in frame of the Soviet Union).
On 22nd of June, Antarctic researchers in the whole world celebrate Midwinter. The obligatory element for Ukrainian polar scientists became swimming in Antarctic extreme cold water. After this, every new comer gets an official certification and the right to be called a real polar researcher. Besides, different sport competitions are conducted in this day: chests, darts, billiard, football, biathlon, tug-of-war etc.
Antarctic Treaty is an international agreement, aimed to ensure conduction of scientific research and piece at the Continent. It was signed in 1959, entered in force in 1961. In 1991 it was agreed to prohibit for 50 years any ore extraction in Antarctica. Ukraine is one of 29 states with the highest consultative status with right to vote and right of veto during decision-making at annual summits of Antarctic Treaty (in total, the Treaty unites 47 states).
Ukrainian year-round team includes 12 specialists. Among them are scientists (meteorologists, biologists, geophysics) and supporting team (doctor, cook, IT specialists, diesel specialist).
British experts Joel Harryson and Neil Ridley made a list of the best pubs at all continents. In Antarctica, the best bar is Ukrainian pub “Faraday”, located at Ukrainian station “Academician Vernadsky”. “If you want to go to the most remote bar in the world, it should be small pub “Faraday”. It has only 7 seats. But very cozy”, the authors mentioned.
Ukrainian polar scientists often say that you either fall in love with wild nature of Antartics and will want to come back there for the rest of the life or want to go back to civilization asap. What happen to you, you will know only when reaching the place.