Latest news with #PortLockroy
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Derby woman returns from working at world's southernmost museum
A woman who went to work at the world's southernmost museum in Antarctica says the experience was "unlike anything else".Aoife McKenna, from Derby, left the UK in November to move 9,000 miles to Port Lockroy, a British Antarctic base on Goudier described the island as "very isolated" and slightly smaller than a football despite its size, Ms McKenna said the island was "a much busier part of the world than people probably realise". The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) says the island is home to the world's southernmost post office and museum, along with a colony of gentoo McKenna told the BBC: "We were positioned on the Antarctic Peninsula, which is kind of a strip of the continent that sort of reaches up towards the bottom of South America. "We saw probably around 18,000 people over the course of the season, who visit on cruise ships and all kinds of small boats and yachts. "People came to do scientific research, all kinds of people came."Ms McKenna spent five months on the island working with a team of four others to assess museum objects at the said: "We were able to do that but also I wanted to make the most of the experience, to spend the time with the penguins and spend as much time outside as possible."There are roughly one thousand penguins on the island, and in the time that we were there they had just under 700 chicks, so that was really cute and definitely a highlight." UKAHT runs Port Lockroy - the UK's first scientific base in Antarctica - and Ms McKenna said open recruitment takes place every year."The majority of people who do this job have never worked in Antarctica before," she said. "It is a little bit more accessible than most people think."For Ms McKenna, the hardest part of the job was how long the days felt."For a lot of the season, there's 24 hours of daylight," she said."So there was no real sense of time passing, it always felt like the middle of the day, even when it was the middle of the night. "Because we were working long hours, that definitely made us all really tired."There was a lot of adjustment coming back. We came back through Argentina on the way, so we spent some time in Buenos Aires on the way back. "Adjusting to a huge city was definitely interesting. I noticed the noise a lot more."She returned to the UK at the end of March and is now working at a museum in Stirling, says the experience has made her "even more passionate" about museums and heritage.
7NEWS
15-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
West Of Africa chasing Big Dance qualification in Scone Cup
West Of Africa already has one Cup win in the bag this campaign and he will be bidding to add another when he heads to Scone chasing qualification for the Big Dance. The gelding was a devastating winner of the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January when he unleashed a whirlwind finish from near-last to blouse his rivals. He has continued to race consistently, placing in three of his subsequent four starts and while he is closer to the end of his preparation than the beginning, co-trainer Rob Archibald is seeing only positive signs at home. 'We have just tried to space his runs as best we can but he has been up for a while,' Archibald said. 'That is always a little query. It's going to come to an end at some stage, but at home he seems to be holding his form well.' West Of Africa has been the subject of early market support, backed from $11 into $6.50. A two-time winner over the 1600m journey of Friday's Scone Cup, he has drawn barrier 13, a gate Archibald believes will suit the backmarker. 'He's got a wide draw which I don't think will worry him as he's a horse that gets back and runs on,' he said. 'The Scone track, we feel, will suit him because it has a big, long straight. 'He's going well and of all our chances, he is probably one of the main ones.' West Of Africa will be joined in the Scone Cup (1600m) by stablemates Port Lockroy and Redstone Well, while Might Ulysses is a dual acceptor for the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) a day later. Archibald says they are leaning towards the latter with Mighty Ulysses in the hope the shorter trip will ensure it is run at a genuine speed. 'We are leaning towards the 1300 metre race. We are just trying to find a bit of confidence with him and help him settle a little bit behind a good tempo,' Archibald sad. 'But we are still looking at both races and are still undecided.' Port Lockroy, who captured the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in November, is top weight with 59.5kg, while Redstone Well is dropping back in journey after disappointing at his recent middle-distance runs. 'Port Lockroy, he's a Group One winner so it's hard to discount him even though he's got a bit of weight,' Archibald said. 'Redstone Well has been tested over 2000 and we feel like he's not quite seeing it out so we're giving him a chance back to the mile.' Both Al Mubhir and Sibaaq have been scratched from the Scone Cup in favour of assignments in Queensland.
The Guardian
11-05-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
I just returned from Antarctica: climate change isn't some far-off problem – it's here and hitting hard
Antarctica is often viewed as the last truly remote place on Earth – frozen, wild and untouched. But is it really as untouched as it seems? This vast frozen continent is encircled by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the only current in the world that connects all the oceans, showing how closely linked our planet really is. Earlier this year, I joined more than 100 scientists on a journey to Antarctica. What we encountered was extraordinary: towering icebergs, playful penguins, breaching whales and seals resting on the ice. Yet beneath this natural wonder lies a sobering reality – Antarctica is changing, and fast. The experience left me both inspired and deeply saddened. This unique environment highlights the fragility of our planet. Its pristine landscapes and thriving wildlife represent what we stand to lose if we don't take urgent action to reduce human impact. Historically, Antarctica suffered from exploitation – hunters came for whales and seals, leaving scars on its ecosystems. While wildlife is slowly recovering, these species now face a new threat: climate change. Rising ocean temperatures are melting ice, reshaping habitats and disrupting the delicate balance of life. The continent stands as a powerful symbol of our interconnected climate systems – a compelling case for conservation. During our visit, we toured research stations and Port Lockroy, where gentoo penguins raise their chicks. Here, human activity is carefully managed. Half the island is set aside for the penguins, while the other half welcomes around 18,000 tourists each year who come to learn about this remarkable place. It's a model of coexistence – one that shows how we can live alongside nature when we choose to act responsibly. Along our journey, we witnessed diverse wildlife in their natural habitats – from penguins and seals to whales and seabirds. Albatrosses and cape petrels followed our ship, gliding effortlessly over the waves – symbols of resilience, yet also vulnerability. But reminders of past damage still linger. On Deception Island, rusted remains of the whaling industry serve as stark evidence of the harm unchecked exploitation can cause. They also underscore why continued protection of these fragile ecosystems is vital. As an oceanographer, I study how the ocean shapes our world – and Antarctica is central to that story. The surrounding waters link the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans through the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. This connectivity means that what happens in Antarctica affects us all. Pollution, warming seas and oil spills know no borders. These changes disrupt ocean currents, harm marine life and influence climate systems around the globe. The implications are clear: addressing environmental challenges requires international cooperation and decisive action. Sign up to Clear Air Australia Adam Morton brings you incisive analysis about the politics and impact of the climate crisis after newsletter promotion For Australia and other nations, the lesson is urgent. We must embrace sustainable practices, invest in renewable energy and support conservation efforts. By reducing carbon emissions and learning from the past, we can help protect Antarctica – and the planet – for future generations. My journey wasn't just about witnessing climate change – it was about understanding the deep interconnections that bind our world. And it's not just about telling a story of adventure. It's about sparking awareness of the power of science, leadership and collective action to drive meaningful change. Antarctica, with all its beauty and vulnerability, reminds us what's at stake – and why we must act now. The urgency is real. The responsibility is ours. Together, we can protect this extraordinary planet. Jennifer Verduin is an oceanographer and professor at Murdoch University. She was one of 125 scientists who visited Antarctica as part of the Homeward Bound program
