Post on 15-Jul-2015
Text by E. Kissner
Have you ever wanted to go to Antarctica? It’s not an easy trip. Antarctica is the coldest, windiest place on earth. But for the brave people who go there each year, it is a destination like no other. What is it like to go to this cold and icy continent? Getting to Antarctica
First of all, don’t expect a hotel or a theme park. No one really lives in Antarctica. Many countries have research stations there, but the scientists and the staff members spend only a few months at a time on the frozen land. So there are few tourist attractions besides penguins, researchers, and lots and lots of ice.
One way to get to Antarctica is by boat. The Southern Ocean is rough and choppy, and many people get seasick. The waters around Antarctica are filled with ice, which means that a ship has to be very strong! The voyage by sea may take as long as one week.
People have traveled around Antarctica by airplane since 1929. Some planes have skis on the bottom so that they can land on the ice. In 2008, the country of Australia built an airport in Antarctica. This makes travel much easier for scientists and researchers! But this airport is open for only a few months each year—October through May, Antarctica’s warmest months. And it’s only open to scientists and other staff.
Which means that one of the best ways to get to Antarctica is to get a job there! Many scientists work at research stations across the continent. But there are other jobs too. Cooks, doctors, mechanics, and plumbers are all needed. And a few artists, writers, and photographers are invited each year as well.
Ships that go to Antarctica need to have strong hulls. This ship, the Nathaniel B. Palmer, is an ice-‐breaking vessel. It can actually break the ice as it moves through the ocean around Antarctica!
NOAA photo
Welcome to Antarctica
Text by E. Kissner
Where to stay
If there are no hotels or houses, where do people live? Each research station has its own dormitory. A dormitory is a place for people to stay. No fancy rooms here—most dorm rooms have only a bed, a dresser, and a desk. People usually share rooms.
Research stations are heated and comfortable. While they’re not working, scientists and staff can relax in the lounge, play games, or use the computer. Many researchers also enjoy exploring the outdoors around the stations. In some places, they can see penguins, seals, and killer whales.
Because it never rains, water is hard to come by. In some research stations, people use a process to turn seawater into drinking water. In other research stations, workers melt snow to collect water. No wonder that people living in Antarctica are only allowed to take showers once per week!
What to wear
What should you wear? Many visitors are provided with survival clothing that they keep with them whenever they go outdoors. Survival gear includes heavy gloves, goggles, and coats. Most clothing is bright orange, yellow, or red so that people are easy to spot on the white snow. Special boots have spikes to make it easier to walk on ice. But don’t get too attached to the new clothes. They need to be returned when you leave.
Surprisingly, sunglasses and sunscreen are important for working in Antarctica. The sun’s reflection on the snow can cause a condition called snow blindness. The bright light can actually make you blind for a day or two. Many people bring several pairs of sunglasses, and take very good care of them. After all, there are no stores for a long, long way!
These are some of the dormitories at McMurdo Station.
photo by Alan R. Light
Text by E. Kissner
What to do
Researchers in Antarctica are there to study many subjects. At the coastal research stations, scientists are learning about the animals of Antarctica, such as penguins and skuas. Others study the ocean to learn more about the odd creatures that live there. After all, where else can you find sea spiders and carnivorous sponges?
No animals live at the South Pole, far away from the coast. Scientists there study the skies instead. Some research our atmosphere, while others use powerful telescopes to study the sky. One project, called Ice Cube, uses the ice of Antarctica to help observe tiny particles called neutrinos.
At all of the research stations, scientists are monitoring global temperatures. Antarctica seems to be rapidly warming up. By watching the skies around Antarctica, scientists can learn more about climate change.
A trip to Antarctica can be difficult and cold. For the scientists and
workers who have been there, however, Antarctica is an amazing place.
Researchers study ice cores that they have drilled in Antarctica. Studying these cores helps them to learn about climate change.
photo by Michael van Woert, NOAA
Text by E. Kissner
More informational texts by Emily Kissner I write low-‐cost, high-‐interest texts for classroom use. Here are some other collections of my work: Main Ideas and Details in Nonfiction Text Cause and Effect Texts for Teaching Text Structure Description Texts for Teaching Text Structure Compare and Contrast Texts for Teaching Text Structure Problem and Solution Texts for Teaching Text Structure Chronological Order Texts for Teaching Text Structure Reading Intervention Emily’s page on Frolyc