Discovery Channel

The REAL Deep South: Antarctica Pictures

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This red ship is the R/V Laurence M. Gould -- ... — This red ship is the R/V Laurence M. Gould -- an ice-strengthened research vessel that answers to the U.S. National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs. You might think of Antarctica as an unwelcoming and featureless ice-world, tucked away from civilization at the bottom of the globe. You'd be right about unwelcoming -- for humans, at least. For most of the year, even the milder coasts of Antarctica offer bone-shivering temperatures and few natural resources. But "featureless" doesn't capture the true nature of Antarctica, which in reality represents an exciting frozen treasure trove of new science for humankind to explore. Read on to see more of the southernmost continent's most breathtaking natural features and its most intrepid cold-weather critters.

In the foreground, you can see a Snowy Sheathbill bird ... — In the foreground, you can see a Snowy Sheathbill bird perched against the background of golden sunlight near Palmer Station. The Snowy Sheathbill is one of the many tough species that make a living in Antarctica -- though perhaps by less-than-traditionally-industrious means. In addition to being a scavenger, this bird is also a kleptoparasite, meaning it gets much of its nutrition from what it can steal from penguins and other local predators. Next, you'll see a stunning view of the floating ice in Arthur Harbor.

This is the frozen wild of Arthur Harbor in the ... — This is the frozen wild of Arthur Harbor in the middle of winter. First explored by the French in the early 1900s and staked out by the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS) in 1955, Arthur Harbor is now close to Palmer Station -- an important base for ecological research in Antarctica. Palmer Station studies phenomena such as the annual advance and retreat of sea ice and its effects on local ecosystems, as well as penguin populations, zooplankton, and carbon and nitrogen cycling. Check out the next image to glimpse the eerie curtains of light that fill the southern skies at night.

It looks like something straight out of a horror movie ... — It looks like something straight out of a horror movie -- a ghostly green fog swirls in the sky over the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, which is planted right at the icy core of the southern continent. In reality, this green fog is the aurora australis -- an awe-inspiring but fairly common display near the South Pole, which turns out to be the Antarctic counterpart to the aurora borealis often spotted in the far north. The lights of the aurora appear when charged particles under the influence of the Earth's magnetosphere and countervailing solar winds collide with other particles in the upper atmosphere. Some southern lights appear green like these, while others can be different colors, like red or brown. Do you know what causes these chromatic fluctuations?

The different colors of the aurora reveal what types of ... — The different colors of the aurora reveal what types of particles are being traumatized by this sky-high disturbance. Shows of green light occur when atmospheric oxygen returns to its ground state after being excited by collision with other particles. The purple glow you can see at the center of this display is caused by collisions of nitrogen particles, usually closer to the Earth, where the gases of the atmosphere are thicker. In the foreground of this photo, you can see the IceCube laboratory at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, which is an advanced underground telescope designed to detect the strange cosmic bandits known as neutrinos.

This Adélie penguin at Torgersen Island looks ready to take ... — This Adélie penguin at Torgersen Island looks ready to take wing -- but it's only wishful thinking. Like all penguins, Adélies are flightless birds, having evolved over millions of years to do their hunting in the frigid southern seas rather than from the skies. Dense colonies of these creatures can be found all over Antarctica. Next, you'll see a natural cross-section of the amazingly thick ice that shrouds the continent.

This photo was taken from Amsler Island, which is a ... — This photo was taken from Amsler Island, which is a small, rocky place off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula -- the large, hooked finger of earth that stretches from the Antarctic mainland toward the tip of South America. Amsler Island was named in 2007 in honor of the Antarctic marine biology researchers Charles and Margaret Amsler. In the background of this photo, you can see Mt. William, which was discovered in 1832 by the British explorer John Biscoe. Next, we'll take an up-close look at how some real experts do science Antarctic style.

A geophysicist makes adjustments to the electromagnetic mapping device known ... — A geophysicist makes adjustments to the electromagnetic mapping device known as the SkyTEM (Sky Transient Electromagnetic Method) transmitter before its test flight over Antarctic soil. This transmitter is designed to give researchers on the surface of the ice a map of what elements make up the ground beneath. Check out the next photo to see how it works.

A helicopter suspends the 78.7-foot (24-meter) by 52.5-foot (16-meter) SkyTEM ... — A helicopter suspends the 78.7-foot (24-meter) by 52.5-foot (16-meter) SkyTEM frame above the ground. By pumping an electrical current through the frame, researchers create a magnetic field that can help them get the information they need about the mineral content of the crust below their feet. These scientists are involved in an effort to map Antarctica's borders in this fashion. Next up -- if you go looking for signs of life in Antarctica, what would you expect to find (apart from penguins, of course)? Check out some of the weird and wonderful creatures that teem in this cold wilderness.

Several species of Antarctic icefish swim in the cage of ... — Several species of Antarctic icefish swim in the cage of this laboratory at McMurdo Station on Ross Island. The dangers represented by global climate change, including ocean acidification and the slowly swelling mean yearly temperatures of Earth's oceans, could prove threatening to creatures in the marine ecosystems of the far south. These specimens are being tested for their relative resistance or susceptibility to such changes in ocean conditions.

In Antarctica, seals are king. Many species of these fin-footed ... — In Antarctica, seals are king. Many species of these fin-footed mammals, including Antarctic fur seals, ferocious leopard seals, and the wide-eyed Weddell seals shown above, occupy the rocky coastlines and the waters off the shore of the continent, feeding on fish, marine invertebrates, and occasionally, in the case of the leopard seal, even on large animals like penguins. Female Weddell seals are huge, powerful creatures that can grow to weigh almost 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms). Check out the next page to see one of these creatures diving in the dark.

When you look at a seal's body, you're unlikely to ... — When you look at a seal's body, you're unlikely to think of the words "fierce," "predator," or "athlete," but despite their docile and blubbery appearance, Weddell seals are strong and agile divers, who live near the top of the Antarctic food chain. While puny-lunged terrestrials like us would be horrified to find ourselves trapped in the oceans under the ice of McMurdo Sound, for the seal, it's second nature. The Weddell seal in particular can swim for more than an hour without coming up for a breath. On the next page, you'll see Antarctica's largest exclusively land-dwelling animal -- but you might be a little surprised (and perhaps grossed out) when you see the shape it takes.

This is the larval form of the insect Belgica Antarctica ... — This is the larval form of the insect Belgica Antarctica -- a ground-dwelling midge that is endemic to Antarctica. Almost every creature that lives on the world's least-populous continent spends at least part of its life in the ocean, leaving this tiny invertebrate the largest terrestrial animal around. And when we say tiny, we really mean it: Its normal adult length is around 0.5 centimeters (0.2 inches). They are often found near the penguin and seal colonies of the Antarctic Peninsula, living on what's left behind by the larger marine mammals and birds. On the next page, you'll see another arthropod from the deep latitudes.

When T.S. Eliot wrote, "I should have been a pair ... — When T.S. Eliot wrote, "I should have been a pair of ragged claws / Scuttling across the floors of silent seas," maybe this sea spider was what he had in mind. Sea spiders are found throughout the world's oceans; this candy-corn beauty made its appearance scuttling across the floors of silent McMurdo Sound. On the next page, you'll see one of Antarctica's breathtaking rocky landscapes.

These are the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Victoria Land, which ... — These are the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Victoria Land, which are notable for their exposed stony terrain and lack of snow. Today, they are a hot spot for scientific research in Antarctica. Check out another stunning view of this arid and eroded world on the next page.

The McMurdo Dry Valleys are home to this scientific zone, ... — The McMurdo Dry Valleys are home to this scientific zone, which includes a portion of the Onyx River. The Onyx River is a waterway supplied entirely by the cool meltwater that flows from the Lower Wright Glacier and drains into the Wright Valley. The slow-moving waters of this river allow some growth of microbial life, including cyanobacteria, also known as "blue-green algae." Next, you'll see a lonely research station in this otherwise empty expanse.

Fortunately, machines are immune to the onset of ennui. At ... — Fortunately, machines are immune to the onset of ennui. At Lake Vanda, this stand-alone device gathers data about the local weather conditions and beams that data back to a research receiver in North America. Lake Vanda is one of the flat, rocky water features of the McMurdo dry valleys. This automated weather station is not unique -- Antarctica is the home of a great deal of climate research, much of it occurring under branch projects of organizations like the United States Antarctic Program (USAP).

Looking at this photo, it's easy to see how even ... — Looking at this photo, it's easy to see how even the unsinkable Titanic met its match. This frozen beast bobs gently in the waters off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. As with all icebergs, most of this giant ice cube's body lies invisible under the waves. In fact, only about 9 or 10 percent of a normal iceberg's total volume is visible over the surface of the water. Many icebergs have a noticeable blue hue, which means they are broken-off pieces of glacial ice, lacking the trapped bubbles of air that give white icebergs their pale shine. Click over to the next image to see another giant, looming crystal in the southern waters.

This iceberg was photographed near Palmer Station. Though some icebergs ... — This iceberg was photographed near Palmer Station. Though some icebergs are only the size of a car or a small tool shed, occasionally, truly massive islands of ice break away from their home glaciers and slide into the ocean. For example, in 2000, the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica lost a gargantuan sheet of ice that came to be known as Iceberg B-15. According to satellite measurements, B-15 at its peak mass and volume was close to the size of the state of Connecticut. Since 2000, this massive berg has been diminished by the fracturing and splitting off of ice chunks over time.

Sunsets glow like this during the Antarctic spring. Because Antarctica ... — Sunsets glow like this during the Antarctic spring. Because Antarctica is centered on a pole, it receives seasonal light conditions in the same way the Arctic regions around the North Pole do. During the summer months (which are the Northern Hemisphere's winter months), ice thaws, coasts and waterways become more accessible, and the sun shows its face nearly all day long. During the winter months, however, frost and darkness overtake the land, and the ice-locked night goes on and on. Here, silhouetted against the background of the sunset, you can see the outlines of the islands Torgersen and Litchfield. Next, you'll see an ice-braving vessel from decades past.

This ship delivers cargo to Antarctic station operators in the ... — This ship delivers cargo to Antarctic station operators in the southern summer of 1960-1961. The southern warm season, also known as the Austral summer, lasts roughly from November until March, and provides a window of opportunity for standard vessels to access more of Antarctica's coastlines. To penetrate the thick ice that appears over polar oceans, ships must either be or be led by icebreakers, which are specially-designed vessels with reinforced hulls and unusually muscular propulsion. Next, do you know how sea ice forms?

You're looking at what's called "pancake ice" -- though it ... — You're looking at what's called "pancake ice" -- though it certainly doesn't appear very appetizing. Pancake ice is one of the stages of sea ice formation. Sea ice is different than a freshwater glacier, which is usually formed by dense, hardened layers of snow that are compressed over time. Sea ice, rather, is when the ocean itself begins to freeze. As tiny ice crystals form in the saltwater, they coalesce into floating disks like these, which are sometimes called "pancakes." Next, you'll see some regal southern creatures rearing their young.

Because of images like this, emperor penguins are often thought ... — Because of images like this, emperor penguins are often thought of as good parents. These adults, both male and female, take care to protect their young against both the hostile natural environment and predators like leopard seals. Found in colonies along the edges of Antarctica's permanent ice, emperor penguins are tough birds -- so tough, they're the only penguins that breed during the unbelievably cold Antarctic winter. They're also long-lived, sometimes enduring for more than 40 years, which was, until the 20th century, longer than most people in human history could expect to live.

Raised, pale blue boxes all in a long line represent ... — Raised, pale blue boxes all in a long line represent pressure ridges in the thick Antarctic ice. Pressure ridges form when ice is squeezed between two sources of force -- typically, when the tide or ocean current presses an enormous mass of sea ice against the sheets of ice crystallized over the land. On the next page, you'll see a now-familiar face equipped with some tracking equipment.

This Weddell seal has been decked out with a video ... — This Weddell seal has been decked out with a video camera! Such equipment can help us better understand what seals like these do when they're out of sight deep underwater, and also how they organize their predatory practices. Fortunately, these experiments have helped us learn not only more about seals, but more about the Antarctic silverfish and the Antarctic toothfish -- two important prey animals in the Weddell's local ecosystem. As you've seen, Antarctica is far from lifeless, and with the help of studies like this one, we will continue to understand more and more about the worlds of life that bloom in the ice.

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