Polar News and Research
Both the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions represent two of the most intense and important areas for scientific research and exploration on the planet. These extreme, inhospitable environments harbor crucial insights into everything from climate change’s accelerating impacts to the fundamentals of physics, space science, glaciology, biodiversity and more. Stay informed on the latest news, discoveries and scientific advancements from the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions.
Polar News
Stay up-to-date with the latest developments, scientific discoveries, and environmental news from Antarctica and the Arctic. Our curated news feed brings you the most relevant and interesting stories from the world’s polar regions.
Recent Antarctica News:
Antarctica News
Apple is bringing a bunch of new immersive experiences to the Vision Pro.
In addition to a new documentary that highlights MotoGP rider Johann Zarco’s Le Mans win, Apple is also launching a World of Red Bull series surrounding extreme sports, as well as CNN’s journey to find emperor penguins in Antarctica. You can see the full lineup of upcoming experiences on Apple’s website. [Image: The World of Red Bull will highlight backcountry freeskiing to start. https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Apple-Vision-Pro-Immersive-films-Red-Bull-Backcountry-Skiing.jpg?quality=90&strip=all]
Discovery of 85 new subglacial lakes sheds light on Antarctica's hidden waterways
Scientists have identified 85 previously unknown subglacial lakes beneath Antarctica, which could enhance climate and sea level rise predictions.
Celestial delight: Watch moon 'biting' the sun in these stunning photos of the last Solar Eclipse of the year
A partial solar eclipse took place late on the night of September 21, creating a beautiful sky show for people in certain parts of the world. It began at 10:59 PM IST and reached its peak at 1:11 AM IST on September 22. What made this eclipse special is that it happened just before the September equinox, the time of year when day and night are almost equal and seasons begin to change.This rare “equinox eclipse” was best seen from places like New Zealand, Antarctica, and parts of the South Pacific, where up to 86% of the sun was covered by the moon. In those areas, the eclipse started at sunrise, making the sun look like a glowing crescent just above the horizon.What is a partial solar eclipseA partial solar eclipse happens when the moon passes in front of the sun, but only blocks part of it. To people on the ground, it can look like the moon has taken a bite out of the sun. Even though this eclipse wasn’t visible from India, it caught the attention of skywatchers around the world and gave us some stunning views from the Southern Hemisphere.Here are some amazing photos from the rare equinox partial solar eclipse where the Sun seems to be taking a bite from the Sun
I've been on over 100 cruises. These are my all-time favourites
Explore my top 10 unforgettable cruises, from the Great Barrier Reef to Antarctica.
In Photos: A Rare Sunrise Solar Eclipse Wows Pacific Skywatchers
The best images from partial solar eclipse at sunrise as seen from New Zealand, Antarctica and the South Pacific.
Screen Australia GBacks Antarctica Drama Shiver In $12.8M Fund Round
Screen Australia Gets Behind Antarctica-Shot Drama ‘Shiver’ In $12.8M 46-Project Funding Round
Reversing Antarctic sea ice loss depends on ocean layering, study finds
Satellite observations have documented a pronounced decline in Antarctic sea ice extent since 2014, with especially sharp losses in recent years. Whether Antarctica's declining sea ice can recover hinges not only on how much carbon dioxide we emit, but also on how stratified the Southern Ocean is, according to new research published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Partial Solar Eclipse Today: What does it mean and when are next solar eclipses? Date, timings, locations, stages, how to watch with naked eye, livestream online
Partial solar eclipse today will take place on September 21, 2025. The event will be visible from New Zealand, Antarctica, and the South Pacific, offering rare celestial views. Timings, visibility zones, livestream links, and safety tips are explained in detail for skywatchers across the globe.
New moon of August 2025 gets eclipsed today
September's new moon occurs on Sept. 21 and will partially eclipse the sun for skywatchers in the southern Pacific Ocean and Antarctica.
Solar Eclipse 2025: Date, Sutak Time and Significance of Surya Grahan
Planets & Transits News: A partial solar eclipse will occur on September 21-22, 2025, visible primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, with Antarctica and New Zealand experiencin
Recent Arctic News:
Arctic News
China Launches Container Shipping Route to Europe Via Northern Sea Route
China on Monday officially launched the world's first China-Europe Arctic container express route, which runs along the Northern Sea Route, the government of the Chinese city of Ningbo situated in the Zhejiang province said.
Rivers in the sky, Arctic warming, and what this means for the Greenland Ice Sheet
"Atmospheric rivers" are large-scale extreme weather systems that are making headlines more frequently. When viewed in satellite images, they appear just as described—like rivers in the sky. Though they are often reported in places like California, these weather systems have the potential to bring high heat and dump disastrous amounts of precipitation on areas throughout the mid and high latitudes.
Forest plants increasingly colonize Arctic tundra, altering ecosystems and permafrost
A new international study involving researchers from the University of Gothenburg shows that vegetation in the Arctic is changing rapidly as species from nearby forests spread into the tundra. This change is occurring in half of the 1,100 areas studied and is mainly driven by species that already exist in the transition zone between forest and tundra.
Ice dissolves iron faster than liquid water, offering explanation for Arctic's rusty rivers
Ice can dissolve iron minerals more effectively than liquid water, according to a new study from Umeå University. The discovery could help explain why many Arctic rivers are now turning rusty orange as permafrost thaws in a warming climate.
China pioneers commercial route to Europe via the Arctic
The Istanbul Bridge, a Chinese-owned container vessel, will more than halve the usual 40-day voyage to Felixstowe in a ‘new chapter in global shipping’
Defence hackathon brings whizzes from across Canada together to solve Arctic surveillance
Software and defence enthusiasts gathered to compete and rapidly develop scalable solutions for maritime tracking in Canada’s North at the event
High-Tech Greenhouse Brings Fresh Produce to Canada’s Arctic
A high-tech greenhouse brings fresh produce to Gjoa Haven, an Inuit hamlet in Canada’s Arctic whose residents have little experience growing plants.
China to launch first Arctic container route to Europe, slashing journey to 18 days
Melting sea ice opens North Sea Route as Sea Legend ship to cut China-Europe express shipping times nearly in half
Company launches China-Europe shipping route, Global Times says
Chinese-controlled container line Sea Legend will launch the first direct China-Europe route via the Arctic this week, the Global Times reported on Monday, in a move set to almost halve express shipping times between the two locations.
Sea Legend's Historic Arctic Voyage: Halving China-Europe Shipping Times
Sea Legend, a Chinese-controlled container line, is set to launch the first direct Arctic route from China to Europe, cutting shipping times nearly by half. The historic voyage highlights both economic opportunities and environmental challenges posed by the melting ice, as climate change reshapes global trade routes.
Polar Research
The Arctic and Antarctic polar regions represent some of the most intense scientific research zones for studying fields like:
Climate Change & Environmental Science
- Rising temperature impacts
- Sea ice decline/glacial melt
- Shifting ecosystems and wildlife patterns
Glaciology & Paleoclimatology
- Deep ice core drilling studies
- Modeling past climate cycles
- Understanding atmospheric influences
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
- Polar vortex, jet stream behavior
- Ozone measurements and depletion
- Solar activity interaction
Space Physics & Astronomy
- High altitude astrophysics research
- Cosmic ray/aurora observation stations
- Neutrino particle detection arrays
Marine Biology & Biogeochemistry
- Arctic/Antarctic marine mammal populations
- Microorganism studies in polar ice/oceans
- Impacts of ocean acidification
Through joint international efforts and permanent research facilities across the Arctic and Antarctica, scientists are constantly uncovering new findings that deepen our knowledge of these remote yet influential regions. Explore our curated collection of polar science news, scholarly publications and educational resources to stay updated on the latest groundbreaking discoveries being made on the cutting edge of polar research.