Antarctic iceberg (Photo by Jade Berman) This spring, international scientists will explore some of the harshest climates on Earth at the fourth International Polar Year. The first IPY, way back in 1882, allied 12 countries, prompted 15 polar expeditions, and collected unprecedented amounts of meteorological data. At the second IPY in 1932, researchers from 40 nations studied the jet stream, a phenomenon that had serious implications for aviation in World War II. In 1957, the Polar Year project grew even more, with scientists from 67 countries, all inspired by advances in rockets, radar, and computers. Their work proved the theory of continental drift, estimated the size of Antarctica's ice mass, launched the first manmade satellites, discovered the Van Allen Radiation Belts, and led to the Antarctic Treaty. Now, 50 years later, the International Council for Science and the World Meteorological Organization are launching an IPY with a timely theme: global warming. Given the chilling worldwide impact of polar changes in recent times, we hope this latest international effort will help ensure more Polar Years in the future. Suggested Sites... International Polar Year - official site of the 2007-2009 polar research efforts. Cool Antarctica - includes facts about the continent and its residents, cruise information, and image galleries. National Geographic: Frozen Under - a look at the deadly cold and breathtaking terrain of Antarctica. Arctic Theme Page - information about scientific research, wildlife, human populations, and geography of the Arctic from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Polar Images - photographs of the Arctic and Antarctic on Flickr.

Directory categories: International Polar Year, Polar Research, Arctic Region, Antarctica, Climate Change

Archived under: Events, Geology, Ice, Regional, Science, Weather

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