The time in Antarctica is now. Time in Antarctica. Polar day and polar night in the Southern Hemisphere

In January 1820, a Russian expedition led by Thaddeus Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev discovered Antarctica, the existence of which had only been speculated before. Today we have collected for you interesting and little-known facts about the most remote southern mainland - the highest, dry, windy, sparsely populated and coldest place on earth.

1. At one time in Antarctica it was impossible to work for those who had not removed their wisdom teeth and appendix. Due to the fact that no surgical operations were performed at the stations of Antarctica, in order to work here, one had to first part with these parts of the body, even if they were completely healthy.

3. Like many countries, Antarctica has its own Internet domain - .aq

4. 53 million years ago, Antarctica was so warm that palm trees grew on its shores, and the air temperature rose above 20 degrees Celsius.

5. In December 2013, Metallica played a concert in Antarctica, thus becoming the first band in the world to perform on all continents. In order not to disturb the local fauna, the concert was held under a special protective dome, and the audience listened to music through headphones.

6. From 1960 to 1972, McMurdo Station, the largest settlement and research center owned by the United States, operated the first nuclear power plant in Antarctica.

7. Antarctica has its own fire station. It belongs to the McMurdo station, and the most real professional firefighters work on it.

8. Despite extreme conditions, 1,150 species of fungi have been found in Antarctica. They are highly adaptable to extreme cold temperatures and long periods of freeze and thaw.

9. Technically, all 24 time zones are present in Antarctica, since their boundaries converge at one point at both poles.

10. There are no polar bears in Antarctica. To see them, you will have to go to the North Pole or, for example, to Canada.

11. There is a bar in Antarctica - the southernmost bar on the planet. And it is located at the Akademik Vernadsky station, which belongs to Ukraine.

12. The lowest temperature ever recorded on earth - minus 89.2 degrees Celsius - was recorded in Antarctica at the Russian Vostok station on July 21, 1983.

15. The average ice thickness of Antarctica is 1.6 km. Antarctica contains about 70% of all fresh water on earth.

16. The Transantarctic Mountains run through the entire continent and divide it into western and eastern parts. This range is one of the longest in the world - its length is 3500 km.

17. The existence of the continent of Antarctica was unknown until its discovery in 1820. Before that, it was assumed that this is just a group of islands.

18. On December 14, 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole and hoist the flag of his nation there. He also became the first person to visit both geographic poles of the planet.

19. As a result of secret negotiations on December 1, 1959, 12 countries concluded the Antarctic Treaty, which provides for the demilitarization of the Antarctic region and its use for exclusively peaceful purposes. To date, more than 50 countries are parties to the Treaty.

20. January 7, 1978 Argentine Emilio Marcos Palma was born - the first person in history to be born in Antarctica. It is believed that this event was a planned action by the Argentine government, which specially sent a pregnant woman to the Esperanza station in order to subsequently claim part of the territory of Antarctica.

Perhaps there is no place in the world more mysterious than Antarctica. The boundless expanses bound by ice could tell a lot about what the Earth was like millions of years ago. But nature is in no hurry to reveal its secrets, and man returns here again and again, struggling with cold and blizzard.

Antarctica is the icy heart of Antarctica: on an area of ​​13 million 661 thousand km 2 there are 30 million km 3 of ice! The geographic South Pole, the Pole of Cold (-89.2 °C - the lowest temperature), the Pole of Inaccessibility, conquered by the Soviet expedition in 1958, the South Geomagnetic Pole pass through the mainland.

The territory of the mainland does not belong to any of the countries. In Antarctica, it is impossible to engage in the development of minerals or carry out industrial work - only scientific activities are allowed, therefore, in addition to seals and penguins, the mainland is inhabited by scientists from different countries. Only well-trained people, strong in both spirit and body, live and work here. The reason for this is extreme conditions and a harsh climate.

Features of the climate of Antarctica

The warmest time on the mainland is from November to February - this is spring and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. On the coast, the air can warm up to 0°C, and near the cold pole, the temperature rises to -30°C.

Summer in Antarctica is so sunny that in no case should you forget about sunglasses - you can seriously damage your eyesight. And you can’t do without lipstick either - without it, your lips instantly crack, and it’s impossible to eat or talk. Why, then, is it so cold, and the glaciers do not melt? Almost 90% of solar energy is reflected from ice and snow cover, and given that the mainland receives solar heat mainly in summer, it turns out that during the year Antarctica loses more heat than it gains.

The lowest temperature is from March to October, autumn and winter in Antarctica, when the thermometer drops to -75°C. This is a period of severe storms, planes do not arrive on the mainland, and polar explorers are cut off from the rest of the world for a long 8 months.

Polar day and polar night in the Southern Hemisphere

Pictured is an aurora near McMurdo Station on July 15, 2012.

In Antarctica, as well as in the Northern Hemisphere, there are polar night and polar day, which last around the clock. If you rely only on astronomical calculations, then on December 22, on the day of the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun at midnight should only half disappear below the horizon, and then rise again. And on June 22, on the day of the winter solstice - only half appear on the horizon at noon, and then disappear. But there is astronomical refraction - an optical phenomenon associated with the refraction of light rays. Thanks to refraction, we see the luminaries before they appear above the horizon, and for some time after they set. Therefore, the usual change of day and night occurs only in spring and autumn. In winter, polar night reigns, and in summer - polar day.

Nature of Antarctica

A kind of visiting card of Antarctica is a penguin. Several species of these funny birds live here: on the continental coast - emperor, king, gentoo penguin, Adélie penguin. And on the Antarctic and subantarctic islands live crested, arctic, golden-haired penguins.

There are other birds: petrels (Antarctic, snowy, silver gray), skuas,

Antarctica is the habitat of several species of seals: Weddell seal, Ross seal, crabeater seal, southern elephant seal, leopard seal, Kerguelen fur seal.

Whales live here: blue whale, flat-fronted bottlenose, sperm whale, killer whales, sei whale, southern minke whale.

It is hard to imagine, but even here, on the icy continent, there is vegetation. Lichens, cereal and clove herbs, whose height does not exceed 1 cm, and some types of moss hide in the crevices of the rocks.

Polar stations of Antarctica

The photo shows a view of the McMurdo Antarctic Station, November 2011

Most of the stations are located in the coastal zone of the continent, and only three of them are located in the depths. These are the American Amundsen-Scott base, the Franco-Italian Concordia and the Russian Vostok base.

An interesting story is connected with the opening of Vostok. When in the early 1950s, at a meeting in Paris, the issues of the development of Antarctica were being decided, our delegation was given the task of proving at all costs that the Soviet Union had enough resources to maintain the operation of the station at the very South Geographic Pole. But due to delays with passports and visas, our delegate was late for the beginning of the meeting, and this place had already been promised to the Americans. We got the South geomagnetic pole and the pole of inaccessibility. In 1957, the scientific station "Vostok" was founded at the South geomagnetic pole. And 50 years later, scientists managed to get a sample of the water from an underground lake, which, as it turned out, was located right under the station! Fifth in terms of volume of fresh water, hidden under the ice at a depth of almost 4000 m, Lake Vostok sheds light on the origin of the Earth and life on Earth. This is incredible luck!

Pictured is a spring sunset near Palmer Arctic Station on March 31, 2011.

In total, there are 5 Russian bases in Antarctica that operate all year round: Bellingshausen, Mirny, Vostok, Progress, Novolazarevskaya. Scientists study the atmosphere, weather, ice, the movement of the earth's crust. At all bases - the most comfortable conditions: in addition to everything necessary for work, there are rest rooms, a gym, billiards, a library. IP-telephony and Internet access have been established, broadcasting of the 1st channel is being broadcast.

The closest neighbors of scientists from the Novolazarevskaya base are specialists from India. The name of their base - "Maitri" - means "friendship" and best describes the relationship between polar explorers. By the way, the warm, friendly atmosphere has always been here. Even during the Cold War, scientists conducted joint research, used each other's achievements.

Pictured is a satellite communications dish at McMurdo Antarctic Station.

In addition to traditional holidays, the bases celebrate the beginning and end of each expedition. At a gala dinner, a symbolic handover of the key to the station takes place. Despite an early meeting with their relatives, scientists leaving the station involuntarily envy those who stay for the winter - Antarctica does not let go. Cold, blizzard, but so beautiful.

Polar scientists and weather forecasters jokingly call Antarctica the “weather kitchen” for the entire planet. Experts know exactly when the conditions are more or less favorable for traveling in the vicinity of the South Geographic Pole. Ordinary people are often at a loss: “What is the warmest month beyond the Antarctic Circle? Are there positive temperatures in Antarctica? It is not easy to figure out what is going on in the "kitchen of the weather", everything is different here, not like on other continents.

The white continent becomes more accessible

Until the 20s of the 19th century, scientists and travelers argued about the existence of land near the South Pole. Many believed the famous navigator J. Cook, who declared that the territory south of 71 ° S was inaccessible. sh. The Russian expedition to Antarctica on the ships "Vostok" and "Mirny" on January 20, 1820 discovered unknown lands, despite many insurmountable obstacles. After 120 years, the first excursions to the waters of the Antarctic began, another 50 years were needed for the development of a new tourist destination.

Hundreds of adventurers go every year to the white continent. Expeditions and tours are held during the most favorable period of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. What is the warmest month in Antarctica? - the townsfolk ask in bewilderment. Of course, at school everyone was taught the climate of the southern continents, where our winter is summer. It is difficult for many to say exactly which month is better for a tour to the South Pole.

Antarctica and the Arctic - two opposites

Let us briefly dwell on geographical terminology. The land in the south owes its name to the Arctic. This word, denoting the northern polar latitudes of the Earth, of Greek origin, is given according to the position. sh. blocked by the cold waters of the ocean, ice and snow.

The territory in the south, opposite the northern polar region, was called the "Ant (and) Arctic", the mainland - Antarctica. The South Pole is located almost in the center of the continent. The geographic coordinate of this point is 90°S. sh.

The southernmost and coldest continent

Severe climate south of latitude 70°S. sh. called "subantarctic" and "antarctic". During the year, areas of the surface free from snow and ice warm up better on the coast, in oases. In winter, on the coast and in the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula, the temperature is comparable to the Arctic zone (from -10 to -40 °C). In the summer in Antarctica, you can find many islands of land among the icy silence, where the thermometer rises above 0 ° C.

Features of the climate of Antarctica:

• Winter lasts from June to August, this is the coldest period.
• The average temperature in July is between -65° and -75°C.
• Summer comes in December and lasts until February.
• The temperature in the continental part rises from -50 to -30 °C.
• The warmest month in Antarctica is January.
• The polar day lasts from September to March. The sun remains above the horizon, warming the surface more.
• The night lasts for almost half a year, illuminated by bright flashes of the aurora borealis.

Inland climate

Antarctica is a continent where regular meteorological observations began later than on the inhabited continents. For the last 50-60 years, the data obtained at stations in the mainland and coastal parts of the white continent have received special attention from weather forecasters. The coldest regions are the southeastern ones, where the average annual temperature is about -60 °C. The temperature maximum in the area of ​​the Vostok station is -13.6 ° C (December 16, 1957). The average monthly temperature from April to September is below -70 °C.

The weather at the South Pole is a bit milder, this part of the mainland is closer to the coast. Meteorological information at a point with a coordinate of 90 ° S. sh. collected by employees of the American Amundsen-Scott station, named after the Napoleon of the Polar Countries, Norwegian Roald Amundsen and another discoverer of the South Pole, an Englishman. The station was founded in 1956 at the South Pole and gradually “drifts” towards the coast. Antarctica has the shape of a dome, the glacier slowly slides from the center to the edges, where its pieces break under their own weight and fall into the ocean. In winter, near the Amundsen-Scott station, the thermometer shows -60 ° C, in January it does not fall below -30 ° C.

Weather on the coast of Antarctica

In summer, on the shores of the oceans and seas washing the southernmost continent, it is much warmer than in continental regions. Over the Antarctic Peninsula, the air warms up to +10 °C in December-February. The average January temperature is +1.5 °C. In winter, in July, the average monthly temperature drops to -8°C on the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, to -35°C - in the area of ​​the margin of the Ross Glacier. One of the climatic anomalies of the mainland is cold katabatic winds, the speed of which reaches 12-90 m/s on the coast (hurricanes). Rain, like high temperatures, is rare in Antarctica. Most of the moisture reaches the continent in the form of snow.

Antarctica is a "multipolar" continent

"Pole of inaccessibility" - this is the name that Russian polar explorers came up with for their station. The Soviet expedition to Antarctica carried out scientific research beyond the 82nd parallel in the most difficult for movement high-mountainous region of the mainland.

On the mainland there is the "Pole of Cold" - this is the area of ​​​​the research Antarctic station "Vostok", created in Soviet times. Here, with the help of ground-based measuring equipment, the lowest air temperature in the history of meteorological observations was recorded: -89.2 ° С (1983).

Researchers from the United States, armed with satellite data, tried to challenge the "record" of the Russian station. In December 2013, the Americans reported that they were in the area of ​​the Fuji Dome station, owned by Japan. The absolute minimum temperature for Antarctica was -91.2 ° C, which was found out using a satellite.

Antarctica is the prototype of a "multipolar" world without borders and an arms race. The international legal regime was introduced here in 1961. The mainland and parts of the oceans adjacent to it do not belong to the states parties to the treaty and observer countries, they can only conduct scientific research.

What to do in the warmest month in Antarctica and in the Arctic

Exploration of the North and South Poles, the white continent in the south and the ice of the Arctic has always been the lot of the brave and patient. Today there are quite a few people on the planet who have been to Antarctica more than 100 times. Some carry out scientific research, others provide transport accessibility, security, and provide medical care.

There are more and more people who go beyond the Antarctic Circle in search of fantastic experiences. Tours to Antarctica at first glance seem like pure adventurism. In fact, all flights, sailings and excursions are prepared at the highest level. Polar scientists act as consultants, icebreakers and research vessels are used.

The peak of the "tourist season" in the polar regions

The high cost of a flight or a sea cruise to the North and South Poles, the high costs of organizing expeditions do not stop modern adventurers. Let's rephrase the famous statement of the foreman from the film "Operation" Y "and other adventures of Shurik." Now dozens of ships with tourists "plow the expanses" of the Arctic and Antarctic. The day is not far off when there will be many more of them. The "high season" at the South Pole begins in December and lasts until January. At this time, the hemisphere is better illuminated by the Sun, the height of summer comes.

The weather at the North Pole is warmer than at the South. The climate also depends on the small angle of inclination of the Sun above the horizon, the strong reflectivity of snow and ice. The temperature in winter in December-February and in summer in June-August is much higher than in Antarctica. The average winter temperature at the North Pole is -30°C. Often there are thaws (−26 ° C), cold snaps (−43 ° C). The average summer temperature is around 0°C.

Are there any "white spots" in Antarctica?

The era of the Great geographical discoveries was completed in the 20s of the last century by S. V. Obruchev, the son of the scientist, traveler and writer V. A. Obruchev (“Geology of Siberia”, “Sannikov Land”). Sergei Obruchev explored the last "blank spots" in Eastern Siberia and Chukotka. By that time, a significant part of Antarctica was still little studied.

Gradually, the researchers found out the thickness of the glacier and the features of the under-ice relief, collected detailed meteorological information. Many "white spots" on the sixth continent have been closed, but the south polar continent still holds many mysteries and secrets. For avid travelers, a warm month in Antarctica is a new experience, an opportunity to see rare representatives of the animal world and take unique photographs.

Are expeditions to the Antarctic Circle dangerous?

There are reports of any unforeseen situations with tourists in Antarctica, but rarely. For example, in November 2009, the Russian ship Kapitan Khlebnikov got stuck in the ice off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Among its passengers were tourists and a film crew from the UK. The reason for the stop was the weather, but as soon as the tide began, the ship managed to free itself from the "white captivity". A Russian icebreaker with English tourists and television crews on board made a cruise in the region (West Antarctica).

A map of the mainland and the Antarctic Peninsula gives an idea of ​​the location of the sea, but only experienced pilots can navigate ships between icebergs. In December 2013, drifting ice stopped the Russian ship Akademik Shokalsky. Passengers were evacuated aboard the Australian icebreaker in early January 2014.

Tour to Antarctica - a high portion of adrenaline is provided

According to the researchers of Antarctica, the mainland is suitable for organizing cruises, dog sledding and other outdoor activities. The history of sea cruises in Antarctica has more than 90 years. In 1920, enterprising ship owners began to take on board the first tourists who wanted to see the white continent with their own eyes. The cost of modern cruises and other types of travel to the shores of Antarctica and the South Pole ranges from 5,000 to 40,000 dollars. The price of the tour depends on many factors, not the last role is played by the complexity of the route, excursion support.

The official version says that Antarctica was discovered during the Russian expedition of Bellingshausen and Lazarev in 1820. But by the end of the 19th century, researchers doubted this fact and put forward a hypothesis that the discovery of the mainland happened much earlier. The reason for this was a map compiled by the Turkish admiral Piri Rais ...

Ancient subglacial lake discovered in Antarctica

Antarctica on an ancient map

When compiling maps, Rice used manuscripts that survived after the destruction of the Library of Alexandria by the Arabs. The map around which passions flared up was dated 1513. Interestingly, the mountain ranges of Antarctica were marked on it, which are now buried under a layer of ice and were discovered more recently using seismic sounding.

It's curious that almost all ancient geographers were firmly convinced of the existence of a certain continent in the South. There was also legendary information about the land in the South, dating back to the 15th century BC.

In 1897, the English steam brig Queen Elizabeth anchored in a creek off the Antarctic coast of Queen Maud Land. It should be noted that this year turned out to be abnormally hot throughout the globe. When the sailors climbed a small plateau 10 miles from the coast, they saw that the ruins of unknown structures had thawed out from under the many meters of ice. Unfortunately, it turned out to be impossible to get inside, since the lower part of the structures was still under the ice ...

Based on the sensational find, a special expedition was planned, which was to take place in 1899. But the Anglo-Boer War began, and with its beginning all plans were forgotten. And only in the second half of the 20th century, in 1977, the research was continued thanks to new unexpected finds.

Mysterious golden hairs in Antarctica

Then experimental studies were carried out in the ice basin of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. An expedition from Antarctica unloaded ice cores obtained by drilling a kilometer-long layer of ice over one of the subglacial Antarctic lakes. It has been suggested that this ice should not be used, much less melted, until it is found to be free of pathogens.

And then they decided to involve biologists in the research. Samples were taken for analysis, which showed that one of the samples contained short gold wires as thick as a human hair, as well as wood chips. It is interesting that the length of the metal hairs was 2 centimeters, and all the hairs found in different samples had the same length, even ends, and had almost no elasticity. During the experiment, they were squeezed with tweezers, and dents appeared on them.

These mysterious hairs did not dissolve either in hydrochloric or sulfuric, or in nitric or acetic acids, which is characteristic only of gold ...

There is also evidence from Norwegian archaeologists dating back to the late 80s. They claim to have found gold jewelry, dishes, masks and even unknown tools under the Antarctic ice. True, this discovery was “silenced” in scientific circles, since it went very much contrary to the generally accepted version of the history of the mainland ...

Apparently, in ancient geological eras, Antarctica was distinguished by a warm climate, an abundance of flora and fauna. A natural disaster that changed conditions on the mainland most likely destroyed the bridges connecting eastern Antarctica with Africa and South America. Findings found in layers 280-320 million years old have become evidence of climate change.

Among them are the fossil remains of plants and animals, including ichthyosaurs, which were heat-loving reptiles, and fern flora.