Antarctica Special Assignment

Antarctica Special Assignment: Part 1

Posted: Feb 18, 2013 2:55 PM
Updated: Feb 18, 2013 2:57 PM

Several Montana State University scientists recently returned from the summer research season in Antarctica. MTN reporter Suzanne Philippus was on special assignment and shares a rare glimpse of what takes place at the bottom of the world.

After 37 hours in the air, traveling over 10,000 miles, a ski-equipped military cargo plane landed on the southernmost continent in the world.

"In the broadest sense, Antarctica is the place to come to study global climate change, because it's the end member environment, because it's the coldest place," Wissard Project scientist Reed Scherer said.

Scientists worldwide descend upon this vast continent during the Antarctic summer for a chance to work in one of the most unique and minimally disturbed laboratories on earth.

From ancient geologic microbes to climate change, scientists are conducting more than 120 research projects; none of which can be conducted anywhere else on earth.

During the Austral summer, which ranges from October to February, scientists take advantage of 24 hours of sunlight in a race against a mandatory, late February departure.