Winter research in the Antarctic

14 August - 16 October 2013

This expedition to the Antarctic (14 Aug - 16 Oct) is called WISKY, which stands for ‘Winter study on Sea ice and KeY species’. The more direct name for the expedition is ‘ANT-29-7’, which is derived from the 29th time that the German Icebreaker Polarstern operates in Antarctic waters, and that our trip concerns the 7th leg of that journey.

This 7th leg of the journey ran from Punta Arenas, Chile into the sea ice areas of the Weddell Sea and returned to Cape Town, South Africa.

- Blog Expedition WISKY:

  • October 15, 2013
    Expedition Antarctica: Towards home along the ice edge
    The researchers on expedition to Antarctica with research vessel Polarstern are cruising home, along the ice edge.
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  • September 29, 2013
    Expedition Antarctica: Hotel research vessel Polarstern
    Not only scientists are on board of research vessel Polarstern on an expedition to Antarctica, but there is also a group of people on board that takes care of another essential part of ship life.
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  • September 26, 2013
    Penguins give underwater show in front of ice net in Antarctic
    The researchers on an expedition to Antarctica attached a camera to the underwater ice net, the SUIT (Surface and Under Ice Trawl). Three Emperor Penguins provided a spectacular show in front of the camera.
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  • September 15, 2013
    Fishing under Antarctic sea ice
    Researchers on expedition to Antarctica with Polarstern, are fishing with an ice net: the SUIT (Surface and Under Ice Trawl). A video shows how it works.
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  • September 8, 2013
    Researchers on the Antarctic count birds and mammals by helicopter
    Counts of seabirds and marine mammals are conducted by helicopter by the researchers on Expedition to the Antarctic. Research vessel Polarstern is equipped with two helicopters to support science and as aid in emergency situations.
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  • September 1, 2013
    Researchers on Expedition to the Antarctic see fantastic light phenomena
    The researchers on Expedition to the Antarctic see beautiful halos with sundogs. Ice crystals in the atmosphere create these phantastic light phenomena.
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  • August 25, 2013
    Numbers tell the tale during the Expedition to the Antarctic
    The researchers who are on an expedition to Antarctica would like to do some fishing under the ice, but they are not there yet. Measurements are now being done in the ‘iceless’ waters of the Southern Ocean.
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  • August 24, 2013
    First tests with SUIT ice net succesfull
    Now the weather is still good, some devices are tested which will be used later during the WHISKY expedition to Antarctica.
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  • August 23, 2013
    Unusual visitors on board
    Although the ship for the WISKY expedition to the Antarctic was waiting several miles offshore, it still brought unusual visitors to the ship.
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  • August 14, 2013
    First to South Georgia
    The cruise track has been changed. Rather than at the end of the expedition we now first sail straight east in the direction of South Georgia, and thus it will be further to the east before we turn south to our real target, the Weddell Sea sea-ice.
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  • August 13, 2013
    Winter in the Antarctic
    Preparations are made ashore for the WHISKY expedition to the Antarctic, before the ship will depart from Punta Arenas.
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