Picture!!Astronomy lab in Antarctica.
Antarctica has a very interesting history. Before it was actually discovered in 1773 by Captain James Cook (look here!!)
the Greeks believed that there was another cold spot on the earth, opposite of the north pole, in order to balance out the earth. There have been many expeditions to Antarctica, some have been good, and some have resulted in death. Antarctica remains a mysterious, large continent surrounded by ocean, having some of the coldest temperatures ever recorded at -129 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.
(look here!!)
Historically, nations have always conquered lands to show their strength and might. One of the only pieces of land on earth that has never been fought for is Antarctica (look here!!). Several nations have tried to claim ownership to Antarctica, but as of today, there is no one nation that has been able to claim Antarctica as its own. This may have been because of the distance that Antarctica is from other lands, or it might be since Antarctica can’t be lived on, grow crops on, or the lack of natural resources. Today, Antarctica is a land of nations, with 47 nations joined together in the “Antarctic Treaty” in cooperation to perform scientific experiments.
The Antarctic Treaty, was signed in Washington DC on December 1, 1959 (look here!!) by 12 original interested nations. This treaty was an agreement that Antarctica would always be used for peaceful purposes only, it would never have any military bases on it by any country, and it would always be used for mainly science. Since the signing of the treaty, 35 other nations have joined in and have agreed to its intent. Many scientists want to believe that Antarctica is a “continent for science” and free from politics and other international pressures of the world. (look here!!)
The international community has continued abiding by the treaty since its beginning. Some of the other goals of the treaty are as follows: 1) free scientific investigations and international cooperation during the International Geographic Year; 2) information and observations from scientific programs are to be shared and exchanged to allow the best use of operations and funding; 3) scientific personnel will be exchanged between stations; 4) no nuclear testing; 5) all information and stations are open for inspections at all times to make sure everyone is abiding by the treaty; and 6) the nations who have signed the treaty are to meet from time to time to make sure that everything is going well (look here!!)
There are many types of scientific experiments that can be performed in Antarctica because of its environment. Astronomers go to Antarctica because of the cold and dry air that are the best type of conditions for thermal infrared wavelengths (look here!!). With the international concern over global warming, Antarctica is a place that scientists can use because the poles are known for controlling the climates of the earth (look here!!). Scientists can measure sea level changes, temperature changes, and the greenhouse effect. With the international cooperation of these countries and all of the scientific experiments that are performed together, it is hopeful that science can continue to learn new information about the earth’s climate and what we can do to correct things that we have done in harming the earth.
the Greeks believed that there was another cold spot on the earth, opposite of the north pole, in order to balance out the earth. There have been many expeditions to Antarctica, some have been good, and some have resulted in death. Antarctica remains a mysterious, large continent surrounded by ocean, having some of the coldest temperatures ever recorded at -129 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.
(look here!!)
Historically, nations have always conquered lands to show their strength and might. One of the only pieces of land on earth that has never been fought for is Antarctica (look here!!). Several nations have tried to claim ownership to Antarctica, but as of today, there is no one nation that has been able to claim Antarctica as its own. This may have been because of the distance that Antarctica is from other lands, or it might be since Antarctica can’t be lived on, grow crops on, or the lack of natural resources. Today, Antarctica is a land of nations, with 47 nations joined together in the “Antarctic Treaty” in cooperation to perform scientific experiments.
The Antarctic Treaty, was signed in Washington DC on December 1, 1959 (look here!!) by 12 original interested nations. This treaty was an agreement that Antarctica would always be used for peaceful purposes only, it would never have any military bases on it by any country, and it would always be used for mainly science. Since the signing of the treaty, 35 other nations have joined in and have agreed to its intent. Many scientists want to believe that Antarctica is a “continent for science” and free from politics and other international pressures of the world. (look here!!)
The international community has continued abiding by the treaty since its beginning. Some of the other goals of the treaty are as follows: 1) free scientific investigations and international cooperation during the International Geographic Year; 2) information and observations from scientific programs are to be shared and exchanged to allow the best use of operations and funding; 3) scientific personnel will be exchanged between stations; 4) no nuclear testing; 5) all information and stations are open for inspections at all times to make sure everyone is abiding by the treaty; and 6) the nations who have signed the treaty are to meet from time to time to make sure that everything is going well (look here!!)
There are many types of scientific experiments that can be performed in Antarctica because of its environment. Astronomers go to Antarctica because of the cold and dry air that are the best type of conditions for thermal infrared wavelengths (look here!!). With the international concern over global warming, Antarctica is a place that scientists can use because the poles are known for controlling the climates of the earth (look here!!). Scientists can measure sea level changes, temperature changes, and the greenhouse effect. With the international cooperation of these countries and all of the scientific experiments that are performed together, it is hopeful that science can continue to learn new information about the earth’s climate and what we can do to correct things that we have done in harming the earth.
Map of Antarctica.
Experiment with weather balloons.
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