Is there any in Antarctica? interesting facts about Antarctica

From October 29 to November 8, 2016, the First Antarctic Entrepreneurship Summit was held in Antarctica. Its participants met and talked with the administrator of the Bellingshausen polar station, Sergei Mikhailovich Nikitin.

Sergei Mikhailovich Nikitin

Administrator of the Bellingshausen polar station. In 1979 he graduated from the Leningrad Medical Institute. For many years he worked as an anesthesiologist-resuscitator. He has 8 winters and 11 expeditions to Antarctica. The first expedition took place in 1987.

Who are polar explorers?

The polar explorer profession does not exist. According to our legislation, a person working in the polar regions is not a polar explorer. Such people simply receive certain benefits due to their working conditions.

I don't know what a polar explorer is. According to the staffing schedule, diesel engineers, mechanics, electricians, and cooks work at the station.

There will still be many scientists in the summer. They collect information in various areas: meteorology, geology, satellite information reception. Now we have German ornithologists working here. Big pedants - strictly control the breeding areas of birds.

Who is in charge of all this?

Administration. More precisely, the administrator of the polar station. Officially, the position is called administrator, not chief. But usually everyone says “boss.”

I don't think this is a calling. An administrator at the station is a necessity.

The station was founded in 1968 and named after Thaddeus Bellingshausen

This can be anyone who has some experience working in the polar regions, especially at remote stations. There is such a thing as hard-to-reach stations. These include, for example, our stations in Antarctica.

Where do they train to become polar explorers?

There is an Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, founded back in 1920. But they don’t teach anyone there. The institute simply selects people of certain qualifications to work at polar stations.

A person with a diploma as a cook or mechanic comes to the human resources department of the institute and says that he wants to work at the station. If there is a need for this specialist, he is added to the reserve, and when the time comes, he is sent to Antarctica.

Special attention is given to newcomers to the station. Let's see how a person settles in. After wintering, the station chief writes whether he is suitable for work in the conditions of polar stations and subsequent expeditions.

How did your journey to Antarctica begin?

I'm not a lyricist. I didn’t dream about Antarctica, but I really wanted to get here, as I had heard many stories about it from friends and acquaintances.

In Soviet times, it was impossible to visit Antarctica as a tourist. That's why I went to work as a doctor (by training I am an anesthesiologist-resuscitator).

In 1985, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute recommended me to participate in the expedition. Two years later I found myself in Antarctica for the first time.

I ended up at the Progress Soviet Antarctic station under construction. Now this is the most technologically advanced Russian base, but then it was literally cobbled together from cardboard boxes. Just a three by four plank house. You open the door, and you are already in Antarctica.

It was tough. They told us: “Guys, are you going to spend the winter or do you want to go home?” We stayed.

I spent 13 months on Progress without going out into the world. Then everything ended well for everyone - they overwintered normally. But this was a real school of North and South, where the South turned out to be more dangerous than the North.

Then I returned and worked in medicine. But in the 1990s, life was such that it was impossible to support a family on a doctor’s salary. And I was bored on the mainland. After 11 years I returned to Antarctica. The only one from the previous lineup.

What kind of expedition are you currently on?

This is my eighth winter and eleventh expedition.

Expeditions are usually seasonal. They last from four to six months, depending on the amount of work planned to be carried out. Work is divided into seasonal and wintering.

When going to the station, people sign a contract (even full-time employees), and upon returning they quit or go on long leave until the next expedition.

There are people who fly in for a month to do some specific work. After all, the institute receives applications from a variety of organizations. For example, at the beginning of February next year we are expecting aerosurveyors. We are also waiting for technical specialists who will prepare the station equipment for operation. A paleobiologist and glaciologist (a glacier specialist who studies ice movements) will come to us.

What are your daily responsibilities?

The station manager is responsible for everything: from purchasing things necessary for life to scientific activities.

There is a general program for all specialists, which describes the mission, tasks and scope of work that each expedition participant is required to perform.

For example, there is a task - monitoring sea level. In the event of ice formation, we must set up poles, place instruments, and take down information. All this is described from start to finish.

The administrator is responsible for the execution of all scientific programs, and if some process is not going well, it’s up to me.

Do polar explorers have social benefits and privileges?

There are currently no benefits for polar explorers as such. There are simply rules regulating work in the Far North.

Three years ago, when the Polar Explorer's Day holiday was established, all employees of polar stations were equated with workers of the Far North. What does it mean?

Sergei Nikitin: “My pension is huge - 15,000 rubles”

Take, for example, cities in the Arctic Circle. Their residents also work in difficult conditions, but at the same time enjoy all the benefits of civilization, come home, lie down in a warm bath, sleep with their wives, see their children.

For some reason, the gentlemen who are developing the laws decided that Antarctica, where the altitude is four kilometers, where there is hypoxia and -80 degrees, is Murmansk. I think this is unfair.

Previously, we had small privileges: the vacation was longer, the work experience was longer. All this was possible from the moment we crossed 50 degrees south latitude on the ship.

Currently, the minimum salary for a polar station employee is 60,000 rubles. Maximum - 150,000.

I'm already retired. My pension is huge - 15,000 rubles.

If you compare your work with office work, what are its features?

You can't fire a person at a polar station. It's very scary.

In Antarctica, everything that happened at the station is the station's problem. And everything happens. It's like a submarine. But submarines now go out for only a month (previously four), and there are special isolation wards for sailors or officers. Because even strong people have deviations.

“Bellingshausen” in this regard is a successful base, open to the outside world. It's scary at hard-to-reach stations. Illness and interpersonal disagreements can become a huge problem. The life of the entire station may be at risk.

The most important principle is not to teach others. If an adult feels that you are trying to change him, there will be a conflict. It’s better to think good about people here than bad.

The atmosphere at the station is immediately visible. When everything is good, the administrator has established relationships with everyone and between everyone, everyone walks around and smiles. You can sit in the company of a person and not notice him, and this is wonderful. When the situation is tense, people are excited, walk around warily, and look around.

How is life at the station?

Compared to that first Antarctica, where I ended up, life is now at a fairly high level. We have the Internet and television - what can I say.

But there is a serious katabatic wind here. Cold air, accelerating across the ice dome, where the temperature is -50 ° C, goes to the sea. As it accelerates, it heats up to about –30 °C. But this katabatic wind reaches a speed of 56 m/s, which is approximately 250 km/h. This is the most unpleasant natural phenomenon in Antarctica.

How do polar explorers relax at the station?

There is a saying: “Polar explorers are afraid of cold, hunger and work.” But this is more of a joke. We are not afraid of work. Sometimes we do it in emergency mode and in extreme conditions, because everyone wants to live.

Rest is a purely personal matter. All people are different. Some people like to read, others play sports.

We have a tennis table and a good gym where bodybuilding enthusiasts work on themselves. Sometimes we organize tennis tournaments. It can be a lot of fun.

We also try to celebrate birthdays and other holidays with joy. But without consequences.

What's missing most from the station?

When a normal person leaves somewhere for a long time, he only misses home.

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

1. At one time, it was impossible to work in Antarctica for those who had not had their wisdom teeth and appendix removed. Due to the fact that surgical operations were not performed at Antarctic stations, to work here it was necessary 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, it was so warm in Antarctica that palm trees grew on its shores, and the air temperature rose above 20 degrees Celsius.

5. In December 2013, Metallica gave 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 the music through headphones.

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

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

8. Despite the extreme conditions, 1,150 species of fungi have been discovered in Antarctica. They adapt well to extremely low temperatures and extended periods of freezing and thawing.

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 look at 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.

13. Antarctica is the fifth largest continent in the world. Its territory is 14 million square meters. km.

14. 99% of Antarctica is covered with ice. The continent's ice sheet is often called an ice sheet.

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

16. The Transantarctic Mountains run across the entire continent and divide it into western and eastern parts. This ridge 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 this it was assumed that it was just a group of islands.

18. On December 14, 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole and plant his nation's flag 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, providing for the demilitarization of the Antarctic area and its use for exclusively peaceful purposes. Today, more than 50 countries are parties to the Treaty.

20. On January 7, 1978, Argentinean 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 specifically sent a pregnant woman to the Esperanza station in order to subsequently claim rights to part of the territory of Antarctica.

Is it possible to have a cat at the station, what does the center of the Galaxy look like and what is missing during the winter - answer polar explorers from the Progress station

At the X NAUKA0+ Festival held in Moscow, an open teleconference was held with participants of the Russian Antarctic Progress station, where everyone could ask the polar explorers a question live.

The staff of the Progress station answers questions from participants and guests of the Festival: Andrey Mirakin- station manager, Anatoly Selivanov- ecologist (also translator), Vladimir Anfertyev- doctor, Oleg Kruglov- geophysicist and Evgeniy Kosolapov- cook.

In addition, their colleagues from the neighboring Indian station Bharati got in touch: the station manager Kailash Bhindwar, his deputy Syed Shadab and doctor Ravi Shankar, and Li Hang- GPS specialist from the Chinese Zhongshan station.

Ilya. Tell us briefly what it means to be a polar explorer?
Everyone has their own answer to this question. I can say that a polar explorer is a special character of a person who must be separated from his family for at least 12 months, or even more - a year and a half. In my opinion, not every person is able to leave for such a long period of time from their family, from the mainland.

Taisiya. Hello! The question is: what to wear when it’s -80 degrees Celsius outside? Thank you.
In this case, we can only advertise to our suppliers - everyone has their own clothes. It must be said that in Antarctica it is not -80 everywhere. Yes, there are such temperatures, but, as a rule, only in the central part of Antarctica, at high latitudes. In our case, this is the Vostok station - only there such frosts are possible, but Russian felt boots save the day everywhere.

Ekaterina Rachkovskaya. Hello! Tell me, is it difficult to tame a penguin and do you have a favorite penguin?
Penguins do not walk around our station and are not tamed. And it’s not entirely good to tame penguins. This is not a poultry, we have never even tried to do this.

Evgenia. Hello! My question is: is the night sky of Antarctica different from the night sky of Russia, and if so, how?
If you mean that the sky differs in the stars - something is visible from Russia, but not from Antarctica, then yes, of course. When you are in the Northern Hemisphere, you see one half of the Universe, and if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, then the other. As you know, we have only 88 constellations. In the Northern Hemisphere there is the North Star, and it was mainly used by sailors and various travelers to navigate north. The southern hemisphere is characterized by the fact that when you are in it, you can distinguish a constellation called the Southern Cross.

In the Southern Hemisphere, it is used for navigation, since through simple geometric calculations it allows one to find the geographic south in the sky. In addition, the Southern Hemisphere is characterized by the fact that at night you can observe the center of the Galaxy, which is located in the constellation Sagittarius at a distance of about 30,000 light years. The southern hemisphere is very well suited for astronomical observations, including if you are closer to the center of Antarctica, where the atmosphere is quite clean and nothing interferes with carrying out astronomical observations from different types of telescopes.

Catherine. Hello. My question is: are there any indoor plants at the station?
We don’t have indoor plants at the moment because hydroponics doesn’t work. In Antarctica, any plant at the station can only be grown hydroponically. This system is not working at the station yet, but we will try to do so in the near future.

Victor. Hello! What kind of scientific research are you conducting at the station and why, in your opinion, is the Russian presence in Antarctica important?
At the moment we are running programs in oceanology, hydrology, and geophysics. Medical research is also being conducted to study the impact of staying in Antarctica on humans: both psychological and physiological. And, of course, meteorological observations. Daily reports are provided 4 times a day every 6 hours. During the season, such programs increase tenfold: biologists, microbiologists, and glaciologists come.

In terms of geophysics, we analyze and collect data on magnetic field variations, and these studies have a definite practical significance. Being in the polar region, where there are stronger disturbances, we can collect a huge amount of data, analyze it and use it for short-term forecasts of the magnetic situation on Earth. Therefore, it is very important for Russia to have geophysical stations throughout the continent. It’s the same with meteorology - you need to collect a very large amount of data, analyze, summarize it, and this needs to be done from different points of the continent, and not just from one.

Our scientists have also developed a new way to use variations in the magnetic field to short-term predict changes in disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere. This is important because magnetic disturbances can affect radio transmissions, satellites and ground-based instruments.

Alexander. Hello. Recently, the number of trips to Antarctica has increased. Are there any forecasts for changes in the environmental situation in Antarctica due to an increase in the number of tourists and are any measures being taken to prevent possible environmental disasters?
If we talk about our station, tourists don’t visit it; they don’t come here. Those stations where tourists visit take the environment very seriously. As far as I know, companies that organize tourist trips even oblige tourists to use shoe covers when walking on Antarctic soil, and to constantly wash their shoes when getting off and entering the ship. They are prohibited from exporting anything from Antarctica. This is taken very seriously, and I don't think 200-1000 people are going to make any connections in this world. There are very strict requirements for flora and fauna, and at the stations I was at, there were no special violations anywhere.

Victor. How do you spend your free time at the station?
In our free time from work, as a rule, we go to the gym, billiards, many read books, watch television. Since we are close to three polar stations: Russian, Chinese and Indian, we hold joint sports games: football, basketball, table tennis. Such competitions last throughout the winter, when there is free time.

Please tell me, does anything change in your character or habits when working in such difficult conditions?
Probably yes. The more wintering people spend here, the more their character changes, it becomes calmer, more balanced. Many actions are performed more deliberately, without unnecessary movements, and not at all because of the cold or special conditions.

Good afternoon, gentlemen scientists. I am interested in the following question: have there been cases when women carried out research work at the station, and can you tell us about the most interesting cases?
As far as I know, during the history of Russian and Soviet Antarctic expeditions, a total of five women spent the winter here. The last of them, reporter Olga Stefanova, spent the winter at Bellingshausen station and even made a documentary film called “Wintering.” As a rule, women in Antarctica work only seasonally; they have very large scientific programs, mainly of a biological nature: in biology and hydrobiology.

Hello. Please tell us how your day is going?
In a nutshell, the day goes by strictly according to schedule, almost military style. In the morning we get up and have breakfast for everyone. Then the main scientific programs are carried out, and if the weather permits, we go out onto the ice. Technical teams restore equipment and prepare it for scientific work. Then - lunch, after lunch - everything is the same. And only around 6 o’clock does free time begin, which we have already talked about. Everyone goes to rest at a time convenient for him, but, as a rule, it is 10-11 pm.

How old is your station?
Our station is relatively young. Progress is the first station built directly by the Russian Federation in 2008. The place occupied by Progress began to be developed in 1989.

Zoya Valentinovna. What is the current weather in the area of ​​the Progress station: temperature, humidity, wind?
The temperature is approximately -10.. -11 degrees. Not a cloud in the sky, sunny, wind about 4-6 m/s, humidity about 60%.

Hello polar explorers! What is the season at your station and is it polar day or polar night?
The season in our region begins when the ship arrives, for each station it is different. The ship “Akademik Fedorov” comes to our station - this time is called the season, and the rest is wintering. At the moment we have neither a polar day nor a polar night, but a completely normal change of day and night. And so our polar day lasts from November 22 to January 22, and the polar night lasts from May 25 to July 17.

Hi all. My name is Veronica and I have a rather funny question for you: you are on the only continent without borders. Tell me, are visas needed in Antarctica?

In Antarctica, of course, visas are not needed, but to get here, it happens that you cannot do without them. Despite our best wishes, this is not exactly the Russian side, and in order to get here, we need visas from the same South Africa or other countries whose borders we cross while getting here.

Hello gentlemen scientists, a question: how often do you go outside? And how far did you personally go from the station during the day?
For work, going outside can be four times a day. And it doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside: whether there is a storm or not, whether something is visible or not. The furthest away from the station were hydrologists and oceanologists, a distance of approximately 30 kilometers. They had scientific work at such a distance from the station: they left in the morning and returned in the evening.

Have any of you noticed signs of alien intervention?
No, none of those present here noticed any traces of alien presence.

Good afternoon. What is your coldest winter weather?
This winter our coldest temperature was -45 degrees Celsius.

Hello! Please tell me if you have any special preparation before the expedition, for example, like astronauts.
Unfortunately, there is no special preparation for the Russian expedition. We have normal advanced training courses in the specialty. But our colleagues, especially Indian ones, have strict training and selection. After all the medical examinations, of which there are more than one or two, they undergo special training in the mountainous region of the Himalayas - this is a test for all the personnel of the future expedition. And on the basis of this three-week outing, their curators determine the level of readiness of each member of the expedition. There were cases when someone did not fit in for some reason.

Hello! What do you eat, is there any special Antarctic diet and how often do you bring food?
I'll probably start from the end. Food is brought to us once a year, when the ship arrives. And so, we eat everything here, practically the same as on the mainland. The only thing missing is fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits - they are only enough for half the winter. But basically our diet is absolutely the same - three meals a day, there is enough of everything, everyone is well-fed.

Do you have pets at the station, what do your personal rooms look like, and what do you do in winter when it is always dark?
I’ll answer right away about personal animals - they are not here. The transport of any living creatures other than humans is prohibited to Antarctica. There used to be dogs and cats here, but that was, if my memory serves me right, before 1989. At the moment, there are no animals at any station other than those that live here.
A personal room is 10-12 square meters, it contains a table, a bed, a chair, a wardrobe, an armchair. The windows are large. We live alone in a room. In general, hostel rules apply at all stations: shared toilet, shared showers.
About winter. For some it has a depressing effect, but otherwise the night is like night.

Photos provided by the head of the Progress station Andrey Mirakin

Ecology

No place in the world compares to the vast white desert, where there are four main elements: snow, ice, water and rock. The majesty of its ice shelves and mountain ranges further enhances the magnificence of nature.

Anyone who comes to the most isolated continent must undergo a difficult journey or a long flight. Of course, we are talking about Antarctica - a stunning place where all the extremes of our Earth seem to be concentrated. Here are 10 of the most amazing facts about this mysterious continent.

1. There are no polar bears in Antarctica

Polar bears do not live in Antarctica, but in the Arctic. Penguins inhabit most of Antarctica, but it is unlikely that a penguin will encounter a polar bear in the wild. Polar bears are found in areas such as Canada's Northern Territory, Alaska, Russia, Greenland and Norway. Antarctica is too cold, that's why there are no polar bears. However, recently, scientists are beginning to think about introducing polar bears to Antarctica, as the Arctic is gradually melting.

2. There are rivers in Antarctica

One of them is the Onyx River, which carries meltwater to the east. The Onyx River flows to Lake Vanda located in Dry Valley Wright. Due to extreme climate conditions, it flows for only two months during the Antarctic summer. Its length is 40 km, and although there are no fish, microorganisms and algae live in this river.

3. The driest place on Earth

One of the most interesting facts about Antarctica is the contrast between the dry climate and the amount of water (70 percent fresh water). This continent is the driest place on our planet. Even the hottest desert in the world receives more rain than the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. In fact, the entire South Pole receives about 10cm of rain per year.

4. Residents of Antarctica

There are no permanent residents in Antarctica. The only people who live there for any period of time are those who are part of temporary scientific communities. In summer, the number of scientists and support staff is about 5,000 people, while in winter no more than 1,000 people remain working here.

5. Who owns Antarctica?

There is no government in Antarctica, and no country in the world owns this continent. Although many countries have tried to gain ownership of these lands, an agreement has been reached that grants Antarctica the privilege of remaining the only region on Earth that is not governed by any country.

6. Searching for meteorites

One of the interesting facts about this continent is the fact that Antarctica is the best place where you can find meteorites. Apparently, meteorites that land on the Antarctic ice sheet are better preserved than any other place on Earth. Fragments of meteorites from Mars are the most valuable and unexpected discoveries. Probably, the speed of release from this planet should have been about 18,000 km/h in order for the meteorite to reach Earth.

7. No time zones

It is the only continent without time zones. Scientific communities in Antarctica tend to stick to the time that is associated with their home land, or align the time with the supply line that supplies them with food and important items. Here you can travel through all 24 time zones in a few seconds.

8. Animals of Antarctica

This is the only place on Earth where you can find Emperor penguins. These are the tallest and largest of all penguin species. Also, emperor penguins are the only species that breed during the Antarctic winter, while the penguin Adele Compared to other species, it breeds in the southernmost part of the continent. Of the 17 species of penguins, 6 varieties are found in Antarctica.

Despite the fact that this continent is also hospitable for blue whales, killer whales and fur seals, Antarctica is not rich in land animals. One of the largest life forms here is an insect, the wingless midge. Belgica antarctica, about 1.3 cm long. There are no flying insects here due to the extreme windy conditions. However, among penguin colonies you can find black springtails that hop around like fleas. In addition, Antarctica is the only continent that does not have native ant species.

9. Global warming

The largest landmass covered with ice is Antarctica, where 90 percent of the world's ice is concentrated. The average ice thickness on Antarctica is about 2133 m. If all the ice on Antarctica melts, the world's sea level will rise by 61 m. But the average temperature on the continent is -37 degrees Celsius, so there is no danger of melting yet. In fact, most of the continent will never experience temperatures above freezing.

10. The largest iceberg

Iceberg B-15 is one of the largest icebergs recorded. It is approximately 295 km long, approximately 37 km wide and has a surface area of ​​11,000 sq. km, which is larger than the island of Jamaica. Its approximate mass was approximately 3 billion tons. And after almost a decade, parts of this iceberg have still not melted.