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5 January, 2022
One hundred years on from the death of the famous polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, the UK’s new polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, will be exploring the very …
Read more on New polar research ship embodies ‘spirit of Shackleton’
23 December, 2021
2021 has been a rollercoaster year for British Antarctic Survey, operating research stations in the Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic through the Covid-19 pandemic, while our new polar research vessel, the …
20 December, 2021
Far beneath the ice shelves of the Antarctic, there is more marine life than expected, finds a recent study in the journal Current Biology, published this week (20 December 2021). …
Read more on Abundance of life discovered beneath an Antarctic ice shelf
20 December, 2021
Science and support teams from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are gearing up for the start of the Antarctic summer field season. All five of our research stations will be open …
Read more on British Antarctic Survey’s 2021-2022 field season is underway
17 December, 2021
Britain’s new polar research vessel, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has travelled to Antarctica on its maiden voyage, with its first call today (17 December) at Rothera Research Station – …
Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough arrives in Antarctica for the first time
15 December, 2021
A hackathon involving some highly innovative minds from across business and academia has resulted in the announcement of three winning entries to help decarbonise research stations for the British Antarctic …
14 December, 2021
Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier is retreating rapidly as a warming ocean slowly erases its ice from below, leading to a faster flow, more fracturing and a threat of collapse, according to …
Read more on The threat from Thwaites: the retreat of Antarctica’s riskiest glacier
14 December, 2021
Data collected from a long-term study by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists shows declining populations of an already relatively rare Antarctic seabird, the South Georgia shag. Published in the journal …
10 December, 2021
Applications for PhD projects with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are now open for October 2022 admission. BAS currently supports over 100 PhD students, working on a huge variety of projects. …
Read more on PhD opportunities with British Antarctic Survey in 2022
8 December, 2021
The RRS Sir David Attenborough completes the first leg of its journey to Antarctica, arriving in the Falkland Islands on 9 December. The draft of Britain’s new polar ship is …
Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough arrives in Falkland Islands
7 December, 2021
A full trial assembly of a specialist air communications tower for a British Antarctic Research Station has been constructed this autumn in Scotland, ahead of its shipping to Antarctica this month. …
3 December, 2021
A rare total solar eclipse in Antarctica this weekend (Saturday 4 December) is giving researchers a unique opportunity to learn more about how solar eclipses affect space weather. The next …
Read more on Antarctica experiences rare total solar eclipse
30 November, 2021
The first campaign to drill Antarctica’s oldest ice starts this month (November). Beyond EPICA-Oldest Ice aims to drill an ice core to collect a record of past climate spanning 1.5 million years
29 November, 2021
The Polar Regions play a crucial role in balancing global climate – with the poles heating up much faster than the rest of the world. Yet, climate projections for these …
Read more on Improving climate projections in the Polar Regions
18 November, 2021
Today (18 November) British Antarctic Survey (BAS) joins global celebrations to mark LGBTQ+ STEM DAY and Polar Pride Day. Polar Pride is a celebration of the contribution of LGBTQ+ people …
18 November, 2021
An international team of scientists led by British Antarctic Survey have published research today on using new technology to study mass stranding of whales from space and how the technology …
Read more on Space technology and artificial intelligence to monitor whale mass stranding events
16 November, 2021
Britain’s new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, departs the UK this week for its maiden voyage to Antarctica. It will leave Harwich today (16 November), with 66 …
Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough makes maiden voyage to Antarctica
3 November, 2021
British Antarctic Survey is one of seven Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) supported centres and the Met Office, which will work together as the new UK National Climate Science Partnership (UKNCSP) to respond to threats posed by a rapidly changing climate by putting climate science at the forefront of the solutions agenda.
Read more on UK researchers join forces to put science at forefront of climate solutions
29 October, 2021
Explore polar science and engineering from your home with the Ice Worlds Festival online resources. On the eve of the UN COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, British Antarctic Survey has …
Read more on Take part in Ice Worlds Festival and explore RRS Sir David Attenborough online
28 October, 2021
RRS Sir David Attenborough visits London as pre-COP event ahead of first mission to Antarctica. The UK’s new polar research ship is making its London debut in Greenwich (Thursday 28 October …
22 October, 2021
A report outlining the importance of Intentionally Inclusive Spaces in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through a case study of the Polar Horizons 2021 programme is published this month …
Read more on New report outlines the importance of Intentionally Inclusive Spaces in STEM
19 October, 2021
The Innovation Showcase explains how innovative science and technology is helping or, in future, could substantially help the goals of COP26 and of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enabling adaptation to climate change or informing action related to climate change.
Read more on Universities Network: COP26 Images of Innovation Exhibition
15 October, 2021
Humpback whale populations are strongly recovering on their feeding grounds in the South Atlantic, with over 24,543 whales now estimated to use polar waters in the Scotia Arc each summer. …
14 October, 2021
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and WWF are seeking the public’s help to search for walrus in thousands of satellite images taken from space, with the aim of learning more about …
Read more on WALRUS FROM SPACE: Animal spotters wanted to join mass survey!
13 October, 2021
A network of international researchers launches a European collaboration this week ( 14 October 2021). This collaboration will train a new generation of scientists to understand how past climate changes …
Read more on DEEPICE: Network of young researchers to unveil past climate change in Antarctica
12 October, 2021
A dramatic art installation symbolising our warming climate will be launched at the Cambridge Cleantech annual conference on 20 October as the city’s innovators and scientists gather together to brainstorm …
12 October, 2021
A consignment of AstraZeneca vaccines has been received by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Rothera Research Station in Antarctica – the furthest south any British Covid-19 vaccine has yet travelled. …
30 September, 2021
Despite the global pandemic, the strong strategic relationship between the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has gone from strength to strength. Following the success of the …
Read more on Falkland Islands Government and BAS work together on forthcoming Antarctic season
29 September, 2021
A new immersive exhibition, Polar Zero, opens at Glasgow Science Centre this weekend (2 October), injecting an artistic and cultural dimension to the climate negotiations at the Conference of the …
Read more on Immersive science-art exhibition opens at Glasgow Science Centre
28 September, 2021
The Arctic Station in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard in Norway, the UK’s permanent Arctic research facility, celebrates its 30 years anniversary this week (Tuesday 28 September) as it continues to undertake critical …
16 September, 2021
The Future of Life Award, which honors those who take exceptional measures to safeguard the collective future of humanity, is announced today (16 September) on the International Day for the …
14 September, 2021
New research by scientists at British Antarctic Survey and Bielefeld University explains how the chaotic formation of genetic islands can occur in marine molluscs. Usually, the individuals of a population …
Read more on Chaotic formation of genetic islands among marine molluscs
9 September, 2021
Spectacular ice age landscapes beneath the North Sea have been discovered using 3D seismic reflection technology. Similar to MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) the images reveal in unprecedented detail huge seafloor …
Read more on ‘MRI’ scan reveals spectacular ice age landscapes beneath the North Sea
26 August, 2021
A new AI (artificial intelligence) tool is set to enable scientists to more accurately forecast Arctic sea ice conditions months into the future. The improved predictions could underpin new early-warning …
Read more on Artificial intelligence to help predict Arctic sea ice loss
19 August, 2021
After 30 years of service with British Antarctic Survey the RRS James Clark Ross has been sold to the Ukrainian National Antarctic Scientific Centre. This is the second time that …
17 August, 2021
Warming water and receding sea ice in the Western Antarctic Peninsula is changing the local plankton community with potential consequences for climate change, according to an international team of researchers. …
Read more on Warming Western Antarctic Peninsula waters impact plankton community
13 August, 2021
Outcomes of the first phase of the Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative (DiPSI) are promoted this month
Read more on Report on first phase of Diversity in UK Polar Science Initiative
9 August, 2021
CAMBRIDGE: British Antarctic Survey welcomes the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 1 component of its Sixth Assessment Report. This assessment brings together the latest advances in …
Read more on IPCC: Polar scientists welcome Climate Change Assessment
4 August, 2021
Plastic pollution combined with ocean acidification hinders the development of Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean, research published today (4 August 2021) in Marine Frontiers reveals. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) …
Read more on Plastic pollution and ocean acidification reduce Antarctic krill development
3 August, 2021
British Antarctic Survey scientists have contributed to a new study published today (3 August) which provides valuable new data highlighting how emperor penguins extinction risk is increased due to rapid …
21 July, 2021
British Antarctic Survey and the partners delivering the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme are finalists for this year’s British Construction Industry (BCI) Awards in the ‘Partnership Initiative of the Year’ category. …
Read more on BAS Shortlisted for British Construction Industry Awards (BCI)
20 July, 2021
The UK and Australia’s two new polar research ships get together off the coast of Falmouth during sea trials.
Read more on UK and Australian new polar research ships rendezvous on sea trials
12 July, 2021
The 40-year-old mystery of what causes Jupiter’s X-ray auroras has been solved. For the first time, scientists have seen the entire mechanism at work – and it could be a …
Read more on Mystery of what causes Jupiter’s X-ray auroras is solved
10 July, 2021
The teams in Antarctica show their support to the England football team in advance of this Sunday’s final.
Read more on Antarctic teams send best wishes to England football team
2 July, 2021
Scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), and international collaborators have this week published the first detailed research on the sounds made by southern right …
Read more on Acoustic research sheds new light on whale sounds
1 July, 2021
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has today (1 July 2021) recognised a new record high temperature for the Antarctic continent of 18.3° Celsius on 6 February 2020 at the Esperanza …
Read more on New verified temperature record for Antarctic continent
30 June, 2021
The RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) is getting ready for its next round of sea trials. This is an important part of the preparations for the ship’s first Antarctic mission. The …
Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough getting ready for next phase of sea trials
29 June, 2021
Immersive science-art ice core research exhibition to be displayed at Glasgow Science Centre during COP26
Read more on Polar Zero: visual arts take centre stage at COP26
21 June, 2021
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is celebrating Midwinter’s Day (Monday 21 June) as staff in three British Antarctic Territory Research Stations mark the shortest and darkest day of the year on the frozen continent. The tradition began in …
21 June, 2021
Celestial Incantations – New album release from Sounds of Space Project New album Celestial Incantations is released today by the international Sounds of Space Project, comprising of Dr Nigel Meredith …
Read more on ‘Sounds of space’ feature in album Celestial Incantations
15 June, 2021
As governments convene for the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) June 14–24, 2021, an Expert Working Group1 of leading Antarctic scientists warns that climate change is pushing this remote …
Read more on Leading scientists warn of global impacts as Antarctic nears tipping points
11 June, 2021
For decades, the ice shelf helping to hold back one of the fastest-moving glaciers in Antarctica – Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica – has gradually thinned. Analysis of satellite …
Read more on Antarctic glacier is ripping apart at ice front, causing it to gain speed
10 June, 2021
A workshop report published today (10 June) by 50 of the world’s leading biodiversity and climate experts states that unprecedented changes in climate and biodiversity, driven by human activities, have …
Read more on World’s experts report on tackling biodiversity and climate change
7 June, 2021
Scientists have conducted the first population study of penguins, seals and albatross using Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones on the subantarctic South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands to …
Read more on An eye in the sky: monitoring animal colonies using drones in the subantarctic
4 June, 2021
A study of two alternative methods for reconstructing ancient temperatures has given climate researchers a better understanding of how cold it was in Antarctica during the last Ice Age, around …
28 May, 2021
This summer, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) will be an official partner for the Good Business Festival youth programme in the Liverpool City Region. BAS already has an important connection with the area – Britain’s new polar ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough …
Read more on British Antarctic Survey partners with The Good Business Festival Youth Programme
24 May, 2021
British Antarctic Survey researchers will work on a new Horizon 2020 project to advance their understanding of polar processes in the global climate system. The CRiceS project, or Climate relevant …
Read more on New project to understand polar processes in global climate system
21 May, 2021
An enormous iceberg has calved from the western side of the Ronne Ice Shelf, in Antarctica. The iceberg, newly named A-76, measures around 4320 sq km in size and is …
19 May, 2021
For the first time, geological records have been used to reconstruct the history of Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica. The ice shelf is the largest remaining remnant of a …
Read more on Scientists reconstruct past history of largest ice shelf on Antarctic Peninsula
13 May, 2021
Award reflects project’s excellent environmental approach to biodiversity and sustainability. A new 74 metre wharf at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station has achieved the first CEEQUAL award in …
Read more on Rothera Research Station’s new wharf achieves first CEEQUAL award in Antarctica
6 May, 2021
We are delighted to announce that today (6 May 2021) Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey, and Professor Richard Horne, Head of Space Weather and Atmosphere team, …
Read more on BAS staff recognised with Royal Society Fellowships
19 April, 2021
For the first time, researchers have collected data from underneath the remote Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica using an underwater robot.
Read more on Underwater robot reveals how Thwaites Glacier is melting
19 April, 2021
The mission to determine the impact of the giant A-68a iceberg on the important marine ecosystem of sub-Antarctic South Georgia is a success.
29 March, 2021
The RRS James Clark Ross arrived in Harwich yesterday, completing its final season with British Antarctic Survey. After 30 years of service, the ship will soon be sold. The ship …
Read more on Antarctic homecoming – RRS James Clark Ross arrives in Harwich for the final time
23 March, 2021
Construction expert BAM Nuttall, with design consultants Sweco, have won a tender for a new 10-year partnership to take forward an ambitious programme to modernise the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) …
Read more on BAM Nuttall and Sweco in new partnership to upgrade Antarctic Research Stations
19 March, 2021
A specialist construction team is making the 11,000km journey home to the UK after successfully completing the groundworks for a new state-of-the-art polar research building at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) …
Read more on Antarctic Science Hub Takes Shape Amid Complex Construction Season
18 March, 2021
CAMBRIDGE: British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is today notifying the UK marine polar research community of its intention to re-schedule RRS Sir David Attenborough’s (SDA) ice trials, science capability and equipment …
Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough – COVID impacts on ship into service timeline
15 March, 2021
A new unmanned robotic vehicle on the RRS Sir David Attenborough will help scientists to understand the impact of glaciers on sea-level rise.
Read more on New autonomous robotic for RRS Sir David Attenborough
10 March, 2021
For the first time, an international team of scientists has used satellite magnetic data from ESA’s Swarm mission, together with aeromagnetic data, to help reveal the mysteries of the geology …
Read more on Antarctica’s magnetic link to ancient neighbours
8 March, 2021
On International Women’s Day (8 March 2021), we mark and celebrate women working at British Antarctic Survey (BAS). We showcase the diversity of roles and specialities of those working in …
5 March, 2021
This week over 100 early career researchers and students from underrepresented groups, particularly BAME, LGBTQ+ and the Disabled, took part in Polar Horizons 2021. The Polar Horizons Initiative, funded by …
Read more on Underrepresented groups welcomed to polar science
5 March, 2021
Drones, or un-crewed aerial vehicles, are helping scientists to survey remote colonies of seabirds more rapidly and efficiently than ever before. The results, which show population change in three seabird …
Read more on Drones ‘effective method’ for counting seabirds
4 March, 2021
Findings from a polar science Race Impact Survey are reported this week (4 March) by the Diversity in Polar Science Initiative (DiPSI). The Survey, carried out during October 2020, generated …
Read more on Diversity in Polar Science – Race Impact survey report
3 March, 2021
Albatrosses and large petrels spend 39% of their time in places where no single country has jurisdiction. The results come from a new global analysis of the year-round movements of …
Read more on Seabirds spend nearly 40% of their time in high seas
2 March, 2021
Rock lobsters may have lived further north in the past, and may be vulnerable to climate change in the future, according to a new study published this month (March 2021). …
1 March, 2021
Today (Monday 1 March 2021) the RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) makes her final call to her home port of the Falkland Islands. After 30 years of service, the JCR will be sold at the end of her 20/21 Antarctic season. …
Read more on RRS James Clark Ross makes final call to Falkland Islands
26 February, 2021
A huge iceberg (1270 km²) the size of the county of Bedfordshire has broken off the 150-m thick Brunt Ice Shelf, almost a decade after scientists at British Antarctic Survey …
23 February, 2021
On Friday 19 February 2021 the RRS James Clark Ross made her final call to Rothera Research Station. After 30 years of service, the JCR will be sold at the end of the …
Read more on RRS James Clark Ross departs Antarctica for the final time
23 February, 2021
Glaciers in West Antarctica are moving more quickly from land into the ocean, contributing to rising global sea levels. A 25-year record of satellite observations has been used to show …
Read more on Glaciers accelerate in the Getz region of West Antarctica
18 February, 2021
In a study published in Science Advances, researchers from Imperial College London, the University of Lyon and the British Antarctic Survey have shown Antarctic subglacial lakes may be more hospitable …
Read more on Potential for life in lakes isolated beneath Antarctic ice
17 February, 2021
Scientists have completed the first phase of a research mission to determine the impact of the giant A-68a iceberg on one of the world’s most important ecosystems. A team of …
Read more on Robotic gliders deployed on giant iceberg mission
15 February, 2021
Far underneath the ice shelves of the Antarctic, there’s more life than expected, finds a recent study in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, published this week (15 February 2021). …
Read more on Discovery of life beneath Antarctica’s ice shelves
11 February, 2021
Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February), a celebration of women and girls in science led by UNESCO and UN-Women. “International Day of Women and …
Read more on Celebrating International Day of Women & Girls in Science 2021
8 February, 2021
On Sunday 7 February 2021 the UK’s most advanced polar research ship – RRS Sir David Attenborough – left Holyhead for sea trials.
Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough heads to open sea for trials
4 February, 2021
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists will work with an Artificial Intelligence company after being awarded a contract from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to support the protection of an endangered …
4 February, 2021
Three British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff have been awarded the Polar Medal. The announcement was published last week (Friday 29 January) in the London Gazette. Polar Medal: Dr Jeremy Wilkinson …
2 February, 2021
A research mission to determine the impact of the giant A-68a iceberg on one of the world’s most important ecosystems departs from Stanley in the Falkland Islands today (2 February …
27 January, 2021
British Antarctic Survey is deeply sad to report that former Director, Dr Barry Heywood passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at home on Monday 25 January. He was 83. Barry had …
26 January, 2021
RRS Sir David Attenborough’s workboat, Terror, has won Best Landing Craft in the 2020 Work Boat World Awards. The boats were judged on the design, build and functionality of the …
Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough workboat wins international award
21 January, 2021
An evaluation of British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has provided an objective assessment of its research excellence and impact. It concludes BAS is ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’. Two independent panels …
Read more on Evaluation concludes BAS research is ‘world leading’
15 January, 2021
Gentoo penguins are benefiting from a newly enlarged no-fishing zone (known as a No-Take Zone NTZ) around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia following British Antarctic Survey (BAS) tracking research …
13 January, 2021
Applications to carry out small-scale research projects in the Antarctic in the 2021/22 season are invited from UK-based researchers. The Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS) provides fieldwork opportunities for scientists …
Read more on Opportunities for Antarctic research – Apply now
11 January, 2021
The next stage of building a scientific support facility in Antarctica begins this week [11 January 2020]. To avoid the risk of introducing COVID-19 to British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera …
Read more on Construction starts at UK’s largest Antarctic research hub
8 January, 2021
A British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientist departs Germany today (8 January 2021) onboard the research vessel SONNE to study the diversity of marine organisms in the Atlantic deep sea. Dr …
Read more on Expedition to map biodiversity in Atlantic deep sea
8 January, 2021
The BAS field season is underway. Since the RRS James Clark Ross departed the UK in November last year, it has safely delivered summer and wintering staff and essential cargo …
18 December, 2020
Staff at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) ships and research stations prepare to celebrate the festive season. It’s been a year like no other, with extraordinary arrangements made to keep facilities …
18 December, 2020
Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been registered on the British register of ships at Stanley, Falkland Islands. This continues the long tradition of registering British …
Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough registered to Falkland Islands
15 December, 2020
UPDATE 15/12/2020: Opening Signy Research Station RRS James Clark Ross arrived at Signy Island on 15 December. Signy Island is one of the remote South Orkney Islands, which lie more …