Life At A Polar Research Station

It takes a special person to work in the extreme environment of Antarctica, but many scientists, engineers, doctors, and technicians do. A vivid picture of life in the freezing conditions of the South Pole is painted through the photographs in this book. Readers will learn the many kinds of jobs involved in running a polar research center as well as what Antarctic workers do in their free time.

It takes a special person to work in the extreme environment of Antarctica, but many scientists, engineers, doctors, and technicians do. A vivid picture of life in the freezing conditions of the South Pole is painted through the photographs in this book. Readers will learn the many kinds of jobs involved in running a polar research center as well as what Antarctic workers do in their free time.

Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean remains one of the world's last frontiers. Covering nearly 14 million km² (an area approximately 1.4 times the size of the United States), Antarctica is the coldest, driest, highest, and windiest continent on Earth. While it is challenging to live and work in this extreme environment, this region offers many opportunities for scientific research. Ever since the first humans set foot on Antarctica a little more than a century ago, the discoveries made there have advanced our scientific knowledge of the region, the world, and the Universe--but there is still much more to learn. However, conducting scientific research in the harsh environmental conditions of Antarctica is profoundly challenging. Substantial resources are needed to establish and maintain the infrastructure needed to provide heat, light, transportation, and drinking water, while at the same time minimizing pollution of the environment and ensuring the safety of researchers. Future Science Opportunities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean suggests actions for the United States to achieve success for the next generation of Antarctic and Southern Ocean science. The report highlights important areas of research by encapsulating each into a single, overarching question. The questions fall into two broad themes: (1) those related to global change, and (2) those related to fundamental discoveries. In addition, the report identified key science questions that will drive research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in coming decades, and highlighted opportunities to be leveraged to sustain and improve the U.S. research efforts in the region.

From Antarctica to Outer Space: Life in Isolation and Confinement aims to revitalize and encourage behavioral research in spaceflight as well as in polar and comparable settings. It comprises a broad collection of papers that evolved from presentations at a three day conference entitled The Human Experience in Antarctica: Applications to Life in Space (The Sunnyvale Conference). This conference was co-sponsored by the Division of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and held in 1987. The book provides, through firsthand accounts and research reviews, an introduction to the human facet in isolated and confined environments such as Antarctica, outer space, submarines, and remote national parks. The book discusses some of the theoretical issues underlying research on isolated and confined people, thus demonstrating the applicability of certain general theories of behavior. It also focuses on basic psychological and social responses to isolation and confinement. Studies whose primary purpose is to explore the effects of selection, training, and environmental design on human behavior and mission outcomes are discussed.

Science into Policy: Global Lessons from Antarctica reveals a unique model for integrating Earth system science with environmental and resource policies to balance economic, governmental, and societal interests. Since the International Geophysical Year in 1957-1958, scientific investigation has fostered international cooperation and the rational use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes only. Beyond merely presenting information, this book integrates content and concepts in a manner that will appeal to individuals with interests in the natural and the social sciences. Integrated chapters convey the natural and the human dimensions of Antarctica Time and space concepts are introduced from diverse perspectives to facilitate insights into ecosystem and environmental variability Included CD-ROM provides searchable access to a comprehensive database of Antarctic Treaty documents The author has been leading international expeditions to "the ice" for the past three decades

This book highlights twenty years of U.S. scientific research conducted since the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58. It provides an overview of major polar research programs, past and present, and explores concepts derived, from highly interrelated aspects of physical and life sciences.