Gateway to Antarctica: Ōtautahi Christchurch

02/01/2025

Three days ago, the sun rose on 2025 ☀

But not in Antarctica – the sun has been up for months! 🗓

The sun's presence in Antarctica varies by location and season, with the icy continent experiencing six months of daylight in the summer.

It rises in September and sets in March for six months of darkness – which one of the reasons it’s so cold.

Happy New Year🐧🧊🌏

24/12/2024

🎶 On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a pebble as smooth and shiny as can be 🎶

Gentoo penguins, that live in the icy regions of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic, give pebbles or polished rocks to females in their group as a sign of affection. They scoop them up in their beaks and gift them. It acknowledges the relationship between the two penguins and helps grow the nest for their budding family 🐧🐧

Proof that the simple things in life go a long way.

Mere Kirihimete everyone 🎄

19/12/2024

Top Five Coldest Places on Earth 🌏🥶

1. Dome Fuji, Antarctica -93.2°C
2. Vostok Station, Antarctica -89.2°C
3. Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica
4. Dome Argus, Antarctica -82.5°C
5. Mt McKinley, Alaska -73.8°C

That's 4 out of 5 for Antarctica.

15/12/2024

What do Antarctica and Greenland have in common?

They have heaps of amazing wildlife 🐧 🐳🐟🐻🦌🦊🐇

And they are polar regions covered by ice sheets that contain over 99% of the world's land ice and more than 68% of its fresh water 🧊

If all the ice in both ice sheets melted, it would raise global sea levels by about 70 meters.

👀 Eye opening stuff ⬇

I saw icebergs breaking and melting - with my own eyes! When you see it, you can finally believe it. This is it for Greenland. I hope you enjoyed this series...

15/12/2024

I wonder where Ross will end up next? 🤔❄️💭🧝😊

Introducing Ross, our elf near the shelf. Today he’s been profiling the sea ice to make sure it’s safe to cross. Where will he head tomorrow? Follow along to find out 🎄

11/12/2024

🌟 Join us in celebrating the beauty of our planet’s mountains! Share your favourite mountain memories or photos in the comments below. Let’s keep exploring and protecting these majestic landscapes! 🌟

Happy from Antarctica! 🏔️ Did you know the Transantarctic Mountains span the entire continent, dividing East and West Antarctica? This massive range stretches from the Ross Sea to the Weddell Sea.
📸 John Weller

10/12/2024

Need a frozen coke in this Ōtautahi Christchurch heat?

On a -57 degree Antarctic day, Matty Jordan Antarctica took frozen coke to the next level! 🧊🥤

Thanks for the weird and wonderful content Matty!

11.2M likes, 51.5K comments. “I tried to pour a can of coca cola in Antarctica. It was -57°c and it turns out im having frozen coke instead.”

01/12/2024

It’s International Antarctica Day 🧊 and there are so many reasons to celebrate & appreciate the biggest, windiest, driest desert on earth 🙌

December 1st marks the anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, an agreement that governs all human activities in an international space 🤝

It prohibits military presence, commercial mining, and nuclear explosions in Antarctica, ensuring that the region is a resource for all humanity 🏳

Antarctica Day celebrates this purpose of peace and cooperation, and to inspire future generations. It proves that nations can work together using science and research as a global language for decisions about our planet and its future 🌏 💚

21/11/2024

As a gateway city to Antarctica, Ōtautahi Christchurch has a significant connection with the USA 🌎 Here’s why.

🧊 Since the 1950s, the city has been a key hub for Operation Deep Freeze - a mission that supports the National Science Foundation’s Antarctic research.

✈ Air Transport Hub: The U.S. Air Force uses Christchurch International Airport as a base for flights to Antarctica, transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies.

🤲Community: The relationship between the U.S. and Christchurch goes beyond logistics. The aircrews and support staff are an integral part of the city, through their engagements with local community and businesses.

🎒Historical Expeditions: We’re celebrating the 150-year anniversary of the formal scientific partnership between New Zealand and the United States. Together we grow legacy of collaboration and innovation that significantly contributes to our scientific advancements.

More about the latest mission 👇

Team McChord, through Operation Deep Freeze, plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Antarctic airlift mission operates smoothly and efficiently. The 62d Airlift Wing and 446th Airlift Wing crews

13/11/2024

A free Friends of the Canterbury Museum talk coming up on the 19th November at the Kiosk, Botanic Gardens!

Edward Wilson died in the Antarctic with Captain Robert Falcon Scott. But his art lives on.

Come and see Canterbury Museum Curator Human History Adele Jackson explore the fascinating life of Dr Edward Adrian Wilson at a special talk on Tuesday. Wilson was a physician, naturalist and artist with Scott's ‘Discovery’ and ‘Terra Nova’ expeditions. He died with Scott on the return journey from the South Pole in 1912. In the talk, Adele will chart Wilson's life through his drawings and paintings held in the Museum collection. A Friends of the Canterbury Museum talk.

Read more: www.canterburymuseum.com/visit/whats-on/norway-to-the-south-pole-edward-wilsons-art-and-life

Image: Edward Wilson painting during the British Antarctic Expedition (1910-1913). Canterbury Museum 19xx.2.5090

Gateway to Antarctica: Ōtautahi Christchurch

12/11/2024

1128km. 15 days. Crevasse dodging. Wild weather.

All in the name of research and science.

At their destination, the team of international researchers will make their second attempt to drill deep through the ice to the ocean floor for Antarctic climate clues.

Take a closer look 👇

31/10/2024

🧊Part two of Civic and Business where we brought together diplomats from 15 countries for a series of events that focused on Ōtautahi Christchurch's commitment to growing innovation and collaboration in Antarctic research. 🔍

🚶‍♀️An Antarctic Gateway Tour was hosted by local members of the New Zealand Antarctic Society. The 1.5 hour walk went around points of Antarctic interest within the city limits.

The week wrapped up at a Civic Reception at the Great Hall, Arts Centre. We heard from His Worship Phil Mauger, Mayor of Ōtautahi Christchurch and Richard Levy, Victoria University of Wellington.

The city acknowledged Lt Col Matthew McNulty for an impressive 20 years of service! He has been a cornerstone of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP), leading C-17 operations right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

30/10/2024

How lucky were we to have a JIX Technology Studios experience at earlier this month.

JIX Reality crafts interactive, tech-driven experiences that inspire and educate. We partnered with them to create a fun and immersive way for kids to learn about Antarctica and the scientific work that happens across the icy continent.

JIX's passion for blending creativity with technology made this a fun project where young minds make learning exciting and memorable.

Take a peek this way 👇

29/10/2024

It was an absolute pleasure to bring together diplomats from 15 countries last week 🌏

Representatives from the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Korea, China and Italy, National Antarctic Programme and local members of the Antarctica community joined in at a series of events that focuses on Ōtautahi Christchurch’s commitment to growing innovation and collaboration in Antarctic research.

🤝 Research met business at the Air NZ hangar where over 100 staff are employed to maintain US planes that travel to Antarctic every season ✈

Groundbreaking science and research of the National Antarctic Programs was showcased alongside the critical role local businesses play in supporting Antarctic logistics.

We were privileged to be welcomed onto Rāpaki marae with a pōwhiri followed by kōrero around indigenous science, past knowledge and expertise. Initiatives like the Healthy Harbour projects and the work of southern hapū in the sub-Antarctics highlight the importance of integrating mātauranga, the Māori worldview, into contemporary scientific efforts.

It was amazing to connect scientists with iwi to share knowledge and talk about protecting the whenua and moana for future generations 🌊🌳