British Antarctic Survey 🐧
@bas.ac.uk
We're the UK's polar research institute 👋 Uncovering the secrets of Earth's frozen places, doing science for a sustainable planet.
Looking for a seriously remote job? https://bas.ac.uk/vacancies
Looking for a seriously remote job? https://bas.ac.uk/vacancies
Pinned
British Antarctic Survey 🐧
@bas.ac.uk
· Nov 14
Hello! 👋
We're the UK's polar research institute. We do climate and ecosystems science in Earth's frozen places, because changes there affect all of us.
As we say at British Antarctic Survey: what happens in Antarctica doesn't stay in Antarctica ⬇️
We're the UK's polar research institute. We do climate and ecosystems science in Earth's frozen places, because changes there affect all of us.
As we say at British Antarctic Survey: what happens in Antarctica doesn't stay in Antarctica ⬇️
We took Sky News to Rothera Research Station!
From underwater tsunamis to some seriously strange creatures, they've been sharing daily reports from down south.
You can catch up on their Antarctic adventures on YouTube 👇
https://tinyurl.com/4h5k5hvt
https://tinyurl.com/58fy3244
#ScienceNews
From underwater tsunamis to some seriously strange creatures, they've been sharing daily reports from down south.
You can catch up on their Antarctic adventures on YouTube 👇
https://tinyurl.com/4h5k5hvt
https://tinyurl.com/58fy3244
#ScienceNews
January 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM
We took Sky News to Rothera Research Station!
From underwater tsunamis to some seriously strange creatures, they've been sharing daily reports from down south.
You can catch up on their Antarctic adventures on YouTube 👇
https://tinyurl.com/4h5k5hvt
https://tinyurl.com/58fy3244
#ScienceNews
From underwater tsunamis to some seriously strange creatures, they've been sharing daily reports from down south.
You can catch up on their Antarctic adventures on YouTube 👇
https://tinyurl.com/4h5k5hvt
https://tinyurl.com/58fy3244
#ScienceNews
Our very own Dr Liz Thomas is on BBC Radio 4's Inside Science this week! 🎙️
Tune in to hear her talk all things ice cores 🧊
Listen now 👇
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct8txv
#InsideScience #IceCores #PolarScience
Tune in to hear her talk all things ice cores 🧊
Listen now 👇
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct8txv
#InsideScience #IceCores #PolarScience
January 16, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Our very own Dr Liz Thomas is on BBC Radio 4's Inside Science this week! 🎙️
Tune in to hear her talk all things ice cores 🧊
Listen now 👇
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct8txv
#InsideScience #IceCores #PolarScience
Tune in to hear her talk all things ice cores 🧊
Listen now 👇
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct8txv
#InsideScience #IceCores #PolarScience
You’ve heard of tsunamis before, but we bet you didn’t know they could be underwater and created by calving icebergs? 🌊
Like icebergs, much of a glacier is hidden under water so huge chunks of ice can break off, or calve. And when they do, they send shockwaves throughout the water.
Like icebergs, much of a glacier is hidden under water so huge chunks of ice can break off, or calve. And when they do, they send shockwaves throughout the water.
January 16, 2026 at 8:58 AM
You’ve heard of tsunamis before, but we bet you didn’t know they could be underwater and created by calving icebergs? 🌊
Like icebergs, much of a glacier is hidden under water so huge chunks of ice can break off, or calve. And when they do, they send shockwaves throughout the water.
Like icebergs, much of a glacier is hidden under water so huge chunks of ice can break off, or calve. And when they do, they send shockwaves throughout the water.
Cut the ribbon: the Discovery Building is open!
From 1976 to today, Rothera Research Station has been the UK’s Antarctic gateway for 50 years.
The new building will power polar science for decades to come - and understanding Antarctica means understanding our planet.
#PolarScience
From 1976 to today, Rothera Research Station has been the UK’s Antarctic gateway for 50 years.
The new building will power polar science for decades to come - and understanding Antarctica means understanding our planet.
#PolarScience
January 14, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Cut the ribbon: the Discovery Building is open!
From 1976 to today, Rothera Research Station has been the UK’s Antarctic gateway for 50 years.
The new building will power polar science for decades to come - and understanding Antarctica means understanding our planet.
#PolarScience
From 1976 to today, Rothera Research Station has been the UK’s Antarctic gateway for 50 years.
The new building will power polar science for decades to come - and understanding Antarctica means understanding our planet.
#PolarScience
Watch BAS scientist Ellen Bowler in Steve Backshall's Royal Arctic Challenge! 🗺️
She discusses the IceNet project which uses AI to predict sea ice 3 months ahead, helping protect caribou migration routes from ships. 🦌
📺 watch here: https://tinyurl.com/yk7y82hs
She discusses the IceNet project which uses AI to predict sea ice 3 months ahead, helping protect caribou migration routes from ships. 🦌
📺 watch here: https://tinyurl.com/yk7y82hs
January 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Watch BAS scientist Ellen Bowler in Steve Backshall's Royal Arctic Challenge! 🗺️
She discusses the IceNet project which uses AI to predict sea ice 3 months ahead, helping protect caribou migration routes from ships. 🦌
📺 watch here: https://tinyurl.com/yk7y82hs
She discusses the IceNet project which uses AI to predict sea ice 3 months ahead, helping protect caribou migration routes from ships. 🦌
📺 watch here: https://tinyurl.com/yk7y82hs
Congrats to Captain Will Whatley, Master of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, who has been awarded the Polar Medal! 🎖️
Will joined British Antarctic Survey in 2008 as 3rd Officer at the age of 19. He worked his way up, and did his first Antarctic season as Captain back in 2015.
Will joined British Antarctic Survey in 2008 as 3rd Officer at the age of 19. He worked his way up, and did his first Antarctic season as Captain back in 2015.
January 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Congrats to Captain Will Whatley, Master of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, who has been awarded the Polar Medal! 🎖️
Will joined British Antarctic Survey in 2008 as 3rd Officer at the age of 19. He worked his way up, and did his first Antarctic season as Captain back in 2015.
Will joined British Antarctic Survey in 2008 as 3rd Officer at the age of 19. He worked his way up, and did his first Antarctic season as Captain back in 2015.
Logo lift off! 🇦🇶
This is the moment we branded up the new Discovery Building. It's our new science and operations building at Rothera Research Station, Antarctica.
Discovery replaces several buildings which faithfully stood against elements during the 50 years of Rothera's history.
📸 Eliot Perez
This is the moment we branded up the new Discovery Building. It's our new science and operations building at Rothera Research Station, Antarctica.
Discovery replaces several buildings which faithfully stood against elements during the 50 years of Rothera's history.
📸 Eliot Perez
December 30, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Logo lift off! 🇦🇶
This is the moment we branded up the new Discovery Building. It's our new science and operations building at Rothera Research Station, Antarctica.
Discovery replaces several buildings which faithfully stood against elements during the 50 years of Rothera's history.
📸 Eliot Perez
This is the moment we branded up the new Discovery Building. It's our new science and operations building at Rothera Research Station, Antarctica.
Discovery replaces several buildings which faithfully stood against elements during the 50 years of Rothera's history.
📸 Eliot Perez
We’re back again with more of our 2025 highlights!
Ozone hole discovery anniversary – We marked 40 years since BAS scientists Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jon Shanklin discovered the ozone hole in 1985. Their findings led to the Montreal Protocol which prevented an additional 2.5°C of warming.
Ozone hole discovery anniversary – We marked 40 years since BAS scientists Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jon Shanklin discovered the ozone hole in 1985. Their findings led to the Montreal Protocol which prevented an additional 2.5°C of warming.
December 29, 2025 at 6:03 PM
We’re back again with more of our 2025 highlights!
Ozone hole discovery anniversary – We marked 40 years since BAS scientists Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jon Shanklin discovered the ozone hole in 1985. Their findings led to the Montreal Protocol which prevented an additional 2.5°C of warming.
Ozone hole discovery anniversary – We marked 40 years since BAS scientists Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jon Shanklin discovered the ozone hole in 1985. Their findings led to the Montreal Protocol which prevented an additional 2.5°C of warming.
Step into the polar regions this winter at Xscape Milton Keynes ❄️
From now until 11 January, families can explore Arctic Adventure – an immersive experience where snow, ice and imagination collide.
🎟️ Book tickets: https://mymk.cc/events/the-arctic-adventure
From now until 11 January, families can explore Arctic Adventure – an immersive experience where snow, ice and imagination collide.
🎟️ Book tickets: https://mymk.cc/events/the-arctic-adventure
December 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Step into the polar regions this winter at Xscape Milton Keynes ❄️
From now until 11 January, families can explore Arctic Adventure – an immersive experience where snow, ice and imagination collide.
🎟️ Book tickets: https://mymk.cc/events/the-arctic-adventure
From now until 11 January, families can explore Arctic Adventure – an immersive experience where snow, ice and imagination collide.
🎟️ Book tickets: https://mymk.cc/events/the-arctic-adventure
2025 has been a busy old time for British Antarctic Survey. Let’s take a look back on some of the best bits:
Extreme logistics – The RRS Sir David Attenborough completed an epic operation 600km from the nearest station, collecting kit and establishing logistics ‘hubs’ in the middle of nowhere!
Extreme logistics – The RRS Sir David Attenborough completed an epic operation 600km from the nearest station, collecting kit and establishing logistics ‘hubs’ in the middle of nowhere!
December 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM
2025 has been a busy old time for British Antarctic Survey. Let’s take a look back on some of the best bits:
Extreme logistics – The RRS Sir David Attenborough completed an epic operation 600km from the nearest station, collecting kit and establishing logistics ‘hubs’ in the middle of nowhere!
Extreme logistics – The RRS Sir David Attenborough completed an epic operation 600km from the nearest station, collecting kit and establishing logistics ‘hubs’ in the middle of nowhere!
Looking for something to listen to while you prep your Christmas dinner? 🧑🍳
Tune in to Lloyd Peck, marine physiologist at British Antarctic Survey, on the Christmas special of The Infinite Monkey Cage.
🎧Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00snr0w
Tune in to Lloyd Peck, marine physiologist at British Antarctic Survey, on the Christmas special of The Infinite Monkey Cage.
🎧Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00snr0w
December 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Looking for something to listen to while you prep your Christmas dinner? 🧑🍳
Tune in to Lloyd Peck, marine physiologist at British Antarctic Survey, on the Christmas special of The Infinite Monkey Cage.
🎧Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00snr0w
Tune in to Lloyd Peck, marine physiologist at British Antarctic Survey, on the Christmas special of The Infinite Monkey Cage.
🎧Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00snr0w
Meet Chef Ash and Station Support Assistant Katie 🎄
They're the team behind Christmas dinner at Halley Research Station!
We asked them what's on the menu? 🍽️ What's the best bit of a Christmas dinner? 🥧 And what does the big day actually look like in Antarctica? ⛷️
They're the team behind Christmas dinner at Halley Research Station!
We asked them what's on the menu? 🍽️ What's the best bit of a Christmas dinner? 🥧 And what does the big day actually look like in Antarctica? ⛷️
December 24, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Meet Chef Ash and Station Support Assistant Katie 🎄
They're the team behind Christmas dinner at Halley Research Station!
We asked them what's on the menu? 🍽️ What's the best bit of a Christmas dinner? 🥧 And what does the big day actually look like in Antarctica? ⛷️
They're the team behind Christmas dinner at Halley Research Station!
We asked them what's on the menu? 🍽️ What's the best bit of a Christmas dinner? 🥧 And what does the big day actually look like in Antarctica? ⛷️
Thousands of miles from home, but the festive spirit is exactly the same! 🎄Here's how people celebrate Christmas on the RRS Sir David Attenborough and at our research stations down south ☃️
December 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Thousands of miles from home, but the festive spirit is exactly the same! 🎄Here's how people celebrate Christmas on the RRS Sir David Attenborough and at our research stations down south ☃️
A white Christmas at the bottom of the world, what could be more festive? ❄️
Station Doctor, Dani Hawarden & Station Leader, Dan McKenzie, discuss festive traditions at Halley Research Station in this special Christmas episode of Iceworld.
🎧 Listen on your preferred podcast app.
Station Doctor, Dani Hawarden & Station Leader, Dan McKenzie, discuss festive traditions at Halley Research Station in this special Christmas episode of Iceworld.
🎧 Listen on your preferred podcast app.
December 22, 2025 at 12:02 PM
A white Christmas at the bottom of the world, what could be more festive? ❄️
Station Doctor, Dani Hawarden & Station Leader, Dan McKenzie, discuss festive traditions at Halley Research Station in this special Christmas episode of Iceworld.
🎧 Listen on your preferred podcast app.
Station Doctor, Dani Hawarden & Station Leader, Dan McKenzie, discuss festive traditions at Halley Research Station in this special Christmas episode of Iceworld.
🎧 Listen on your preferred podcast app.
Baby fish vs. ocean currents: the ultimate survival challenge 🐟
New research by Dr Joanna Zanker reveals how young mackerel icefish around South Georgia are at the mercy of changing waters...
🧵 1/5
New research by Dr Joanna Zanker reveals how young mackerel icefish around South Georgia are at the mercy of changing waters...
🧵 1/5
December 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Baby fish vs. ocean currents: the ultimate survival challenge 🐟
New research by Dr Joanna Zanker reveals how young mackerel icefish around South Georgia are at the mercy of changing waters...
🧵 1/5
New research by Dr Joanna Zanker reveals how young mackerel icefish around South Georgia are at the mercy of changing waters...
🧵 1/5
Congratulations, a superb win 👏A great image and a powerful reminder of the important science taking place in an extreme environment! ❄️🌎📸
Delighted that one of my Antarctic winter photos has won the 2025 Royal Society Photography Competition, Earth Science & Climatology category.
Captured during polar-night surveys of ocean conditions near Antarctic Peninsula glaciers.
royalsociety.org/journals/pub...
Captured during polar-night surveys of ocean conditions near Antarctic Peninsula glaciers.
royalsociety.org/journals/pub...
December 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Congratulations, a superb win 👏A great image and a powerful reminder of the important science taking place in an extreme environment! ❄️🌎📸
Everyone loves a smart ride share! 🤝
We are thrilled to partner with the Norwegian Polar Institute + Alfred Wegner Institute on logistics.
An NPI operated ship will resupply our Halley VI ice shelf research station for the next 10 years - as we share costs, carbon impact, and ice shelf expertise.
We are thrilled to partner with the Norwegian Polar Institute + Alfred Wegner Institute on logistics.
An NPI operated ship will resupply our Halley VI ice shelf research station for the next 10 years - as we share costs, carbon impact, and ice shelf expertise.
November 29, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Everyone loves a smart ride share! 🤝
We are thrilled to partner with the Norwegian Polar Institute + Alfred Wegner Institute on logistics.
An NPI operated ship will resupply our Halley VI ice shelf research station for the next 10 years - as we share costs, carbon impact, and ice shelf expertise.
We are thrilled to partner with the Norwegian Polar Institute + Alfred Wegner Institute on logistics.
An NPI operated ship will resupply our Halley VI ice shelf research station for the next 10 years - as we share costs, carbon impact, and ice shelf expertise.
Signy Research Station is open for the season! 🎉
This team in the South Orkney Islands research seabirds and terrestrial ecology.
They were dropped off by RRS Sir David Attenborough - along with a band of helpers who cleared the snow, hauled in cargo, and helped bring power and water online 💙
This team in the South Orkney Islands research seabirds and terrestrial ecology.
They were dropped off by RRS Sir David Attenborough - along with a band of helpers who cleared the snow, hauled in cargo, and helped bring power and water online 💙
November 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Signy Research Station is open for the season! 🎉
This team in the South Orkney Islands research seabirds and terrestrial ecology.
They were dropped off by RRS Sir David Attenborough - along with a band of helpers who cleared the snow, hauled in cargo, and helped bring power and water online 💙
This team in the South Orkney Islands research seabirds and terrestrial ecology.
They were dropped off by RRS Sir David Attenborough - along with a band of helpers who cleared the snow, hauled in cargo, and helped bring power and water online 💙
Ever wondered what it takes to stay warm in Antarctica? 🧣🧤
In this episode of Iceworld, host Nadia Frontier talks to Emma Pearce about exactly that.
Bonus points if you can tell us how many layers you heard Emma mention!
In this episode of Iceworld, host Nadia Frontier talks to Emma Pearce about exactly that.
Bonus points if you can tell us how many layers you heard Emma mention!
November 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Ever wondered what it takes to stay warm in Antarctica? 🧣🧤
In this episode of Iceworld, host Nadia Frontier talks to Emma Pearce about exactly that.
Bonus points if you can tell us how many layers you heard Emma mention!
In this episode of Iceworld, host Nadia Frontier talks to Emma Pearce about exactly that.
Bonus points if you can tell us how many layers you heard Emma mention!
Reposted by British Antarctic Survey 🐧
Could you be our next walrus detective? 🕵
️
Satellite imagery has helped scientists discover a new walrus haul-out site. And it's sparked a call for your help! 📢
To safeguard their future, we urgently need to understand how they’re affected by the climate crisis.👇
www.wwf.org.uk/learn/walrus...
️
Satellite imagery has helped scientists discover a new walrus haul-out site. And it's sparked a call for your help! 📢
To safeguard their future, we urgently need to understand how they’re affected by the climate crisis.👇
www.wwf.org.uk/learn/walrus...
November 24, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Could you be our next walrus detective? 🕵
️
Satellite imagery has helped scientists discover a new walrus haul-out site. And it's sparked a call for your help! 📢
To safeguard their future, we urgently need to understand how they’re affected by the climate crisis.👇
www.wwf.org.uk/learn/walrus...
️
Satellite imagery has helped scientists discover a new walrus haul-out site. And it's sparked a call for your help! 📢
To safeguard their future, we urgently need to understand how they’re affected by the climate crisis.👇
www.wwf.org.uk/learn/walrus...
Climate scientist Michelle Maclennan is interviewed on The Naked Scientists podcast 🎙️
From heatwaves to intense storms, Michelle explains how the continent's 'memory' of extreme events means future impacts are likely to be amplified by past damage.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/4e4772yb
From heatwaves to intense storms, Michelle explains how the continent's 'memory' of extreme events means future impacts are likely to be amplified by past damage.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/4e4772yb
November 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Climate scientist Michelle Maclennan is interviewed on The Naked Scientists podcast 🎙️
From heatwaves to intense storms, Michelle explains how the continent's 'memory' of extreme events means future impacts are likely to be amplified by past damage.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/4e4772yb
From heatwaves to intense storms, Michelle explains how the continent's 'memory' of extreme events means future impacts are likely to be amplified by past damage.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/4e4772yb
As it's breeding time for giant petrels on Bird Island, meet the oldest female giant petrel on the island ⬇️
She hatched there in 1989, making her an impressive 36 years old.
This season, she decided to build her nest next to the path, where the team greet her every day as they go past 🪶
She hatched there in 1989, making her an impressive 36 years old.
This season, she decided to build her nest next to the path, where the team greet her every day as they go past 🪶
November 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
As it's breeding time for giant petrels on Bird Island, meet the oldest female giant petrel on the island ⬇️
She hatched there in 1989, making her an impressive 36 years old.
This season, she decided to build her nest next to the path, where the team greet her every day as they go past 🪶
She hatched there in 1989, making her an impressive 36 years old.
This season, she decided to build her nest next to the path, where the team greet her every day as they go past 🪶
Postcard from Antarctica: our Discovery Building at Rothera Research Station is taking shape 📬- a new scientific support and operations facility.
All part of modernising our largest research station for the future of polar science 🧊
Image credit: BAM 📷
Read more: www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/2...
All part of modernising our largest research station for the future of polar science 🧊
Image credit: BAM 📷
Read more: www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/2...
November 20, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Postcard from Antarctica: our Discovery Building at Rothera Research Station is taking shape 📬- a new scientific support and operations facility.
All part of modernising our largest research station for the future of polar science 🧊
Image credit: BAM 📷
Read more: www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/2...
All part of modernising our largest research station for the future of polar science 🧊
Image credit: BAM 📷
Read more: www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/2...
Happy Polar Pride Day! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Today is a special day in the international polar science and operations community when we celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Polar science is the ultimate teamwork environment - and making sure everyone feels included and welcome is crucial.
Today is a special day in the international polar science and operations community when we celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Polar science is the ultimate teamwork environment - and making sure everyone feels included and welcome is crucial.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Happy Polar Pride Day! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Today is a special day in the international polar science and operations community when we celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Polar science is the ultimate teamwork environment - and making sure everyone feels included and welcome is crucial.
Today is a special day in the international polar science and operations community when we celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Polar science is the ultimate teamwork environment - and making sure everyone feels included and welcome is crucial.
Halley Research Station is open for business!
After a stop at Neumayer, serenaded with a horn farewell, the team reached Halley - only to find one door had reinvented itself as a wall… a wall of snow.
They’re melting it in tea urns for water and slowly getting the station ready for the season.
After a stop at Neumayer, serenaded with a horn farewell, the team reached Halley - only to find one door had reinvented itself as a wall… a wall of snow.
They’re melting it in tea urns for water and slowly getting the station ready for the season.
November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Halley Research Station is open for business!
After a stop at Neumayer, serenaded with a horn farewell, the team reached Halley - only to find one door had reinvented itself as a wall… a wall of snow.
They’re melting it in tea urns for water and slowly getting the station ready for the season.
After a stop at Neumayer, serenaded with a horn farewell, the team reached Halley - only to find one door had reinvented itself as a wall… a wall of snow.
They’re melting it in tea urns for water and slowly getting the station ready for the season.