Only few days are left; we are approaching the end of the cruise. Last Wednesday we already entered the open ocean and left the Arctic sea-ice edge behind. On our way south, we passed an area inhabited by quite a few seals, and some of us were lucky enough to see whales. On Tuesday we had our last ... [Read more]
We are at our 6th ice station and the fog has rolled in. Standing out on the back deck, you feel almost like you are enclosed inside one of those tiny snow globes, the scenery blanketed in snow and the Polarstern wrapped in a foggy mist. Looking out over the rail of the Polarstern, ... [Read more]
Without light, life is not possible. Algae depend on the sun`s energy and can only grow if there is enough light penetrating the ocean. The depth at which light reaches is dependent on the various substances present in the water. If specific substances are abundant, the sea water turns yellow or ... [Read more]
Beyond 80 degrees North, the seascape is dotted with thick ice floes and sometimes you can’t see where the ice ends and the sky begins. It’s beautiful. The waters are calm except for the wake and churning ice left by the Polarstern. A tiny trail of muddy water is all we leave behind as we head ... [Read more]
