Polarstern – Sailing the Arctic and the Antarctic Ocean

Expedition participants report on their science on board of Germany’s largest research vessel, the Polarstern. Usually the expeditions go to the Arctic between May and October while the ship sails Antarctic waters during austral summer from November to April. Polarstern is equipped with scientific gear for every discipline of marine research from the deep sea to the atmosphere. Between the polar expeditions the ship returns to its homeport Bremerhaven. Maintenance and repair work is conducted in the shipyard there and Polarstern gets equipped with scientific and logistic material as well as provision for the upcoming expeditions.

Together with up to 44 crew members a maximum of 55 scientists live on board the 118 metres long icebreaker for about three to ten weeks. The authors of this blog change as the crew changes every few weeks. The students, technicians or professors blogging here are all united by one thing: their passion for the Polar Regions, which their want to share with you!

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