Another Ukrainian expedition sets off for Antarctica
The 31st Ukrainian Antarctic expedition, led for the first time in Ukraine's history by a woman, meteorologist Anzhelika Hanchuk, has set off for the Akademik Vernadsky station.
This was reported by the National Antarctic Scientific Center on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.
The expedition members will travel by bus to Warsaw, and from there by plane to Chile's southernmost city, Punta Arenas.
Then, aboard the icebreaker Noosfera, the scientists will head to their final destination, the Antarctic island of Galindez, where the Akademik Vernadsky station is located.
The expedition will work at the station for a year, replacing their colleagues from the 30th UAE. Traditionally, the team will focus on research in three main areas: geophysics, meteorology, and biology. They will also ensure the station's continuous operation.
According to Yevhen Dykyi, director of the National Antarctic Scientific Center, this year marks the anniversary of Ukraine's presence in Antarctica.
"It has been 30 years since Britain handed over its Antarctic station to us, and we are writing our own chronicle of polar science. But in reality, our work there has a much broader dimension. Both geographically, because Antarctica is a region where we “take the pulse” of the entire planet, and temporally, because we are continuing the longest Antarctic observations, which are far from 30 years old. It is very important that even in the conditions of full-scale war, we maintain the continuity of ongoing research and develop new areas," said Dykyi.
There are 14 participants in the 31st UAE. These are nine scientists (four meteorologists, two geophysicists, three biologists), a cook, a doctor, a system administrator, a diesel engineer, and a mechanic.
As reported by Ukrinform, Ukrainian scientist Pavlo Kovalenko received support from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and became one of six scholarship recipients of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).
Photo: National Antarctic Scientific Center