Ukraine will develop scientific research not only in Antarctica, but in the Arctic, it will be one of the priorities of the National Antarctic Scientific Center (NANC). This was stated by the new head of the National Academy of Sciences Yevgeny Dyky in an interview with the Internet publication “Ukrainska Pravda. Life”.
“It still sounds like a science fiction, but in reality it was from the beginning part of my program – to turn the center from Antarctic to polar. Because in the world now the best results are given by comparative studies in the two polar regions. The Arctic and the Antarctic are as though the two pulses of our planet, the measurements in these two regions together allow us to assess a number of planetary processes, and as a physician always measures pressure on two hands, and not just one, as most countries simultaneously develop science in both polar regions “, – said Eugene Dicky.
At the same time, he stressed that the Arctic is not already a “white spot” for Ukrainian science. After all, our scientists conduct research there, joining the projects of foreign colleagues.
“For example, Kharkiv radio astronomers who work on Vernadsky, are simultaneously conducting research and at Spitsbergen in a collaboration with the Norwegians. And the conditions of work there are much better than we do at Vernadsky, “the head of the National Academy of Sciences said.
According to Yevhen Dyky, Canada is currently interested in such cooperation with Ukraine. After all, this country has a network of Arctic stations, but does not have any on the Antarctic continent. Therefore, Ukraine and Canada can carry out scientific exchanges and work at stations at different poles at each other.
The new head of the Center also said that he would focus on all possible directions of international cooperation. After all, on the one hand, our station is interesting to foreign colleagues through a unique location, and on the other – Ukraine must expand the boundaries of its presence in Antarctica.
“We need to go deep into the continent, to the ice Antarctic armor. We ourselves do not pull this, but now the normal scientific practice – bi-and even trilateral stations, created by several countries together. I am convinced that this is our path. But, unfortunately, not this year, and not the next. I see Ukraine not only the owner of one old British station, but also a participant of powerful scientific projects in higher latitudes “, – said Yevgeny Dyky
