For more than two months, this 94-meter ship was home to a team of scientists researching Antarctica's unique eco-system.
Ship-shape —
For more than two months, this 94-meter ship was home to a team of scientists researching Antarctica's unique eco-system.
Courtesy Cassandra Brooks
Heading off in summer, the team encountered a surreal world where the sun never sets. "When everything is covered in ice you get these beautiful blueish gray hues. The texture of the light is very very soft -- almost as though you could reach out and touch it," said Stanford University student Cassandra Brooks.
Light relief —
Heading off in summer, the team encountered a surreal world where the sun never sets. "When everything is covered in ice you get these beautiful blueish gray hues. The texture of the light is very very soft -- almost as though you could reach out and touch it," said Stanford University student Cassandra Brooks.
Courtesy Cassandra Brooks
Brooks attached a video camera to the bow of the ship, condensing the remarkable journey into a five minutes time-lapse clip.
Light, camera, action —
Brooks attached a video camera to the bow of the ship, condensing the remarkable journey into a five minutes time-lapse clip.
Courtesy Cassandra Brooks
When the sun finally did set at 1am, Brooks was filled with wonder. "These moments -- humbled by the extreme elements and exhilarated by the sheer beauty of the place -- here at the bottom of the world, are like touching infinity," she said.
Land of midnight sun —
When the sun finally did set at 1am, Brooks was filled with wonder. "These moments -- humbled by the extreme elements and exhilarated by the sheer beauty of the place -- here at the bottom of the world, are like touching infinity," she said.
Courtesy Cassandra Brooks
The Youtube clip has become an internet sensation, attracting more than 500,000 hits. Narrated by Brooks, it follows the ship Nathaniel B Palmer as it winds its way along Antarctica's Ross Sea.
Antarctic awe —
The Youtube clip has become an internet sensation, attracting more than 500,000 hits. Narrated by Brooks, it follows the ship Nathaniel B Palmer as it winds its way along Antarctica's Ross Sea.
Courtesy Cassandra Brooks
The research ship has been studying Antarctica for more than two decades and is equipped with a state-of-the-art laboratory, helicopter hanger, gym, library and conference rooms.
Floating laboratory —
The research ship has been studying Antarctica for more than two decades and is equipped with a state-of-the-art laboratory, helicopter hanger, gym, library and conference rooms.
Courtesy Cassandra Brooks
Brooks was part of a team measuring plankton in the water. During the summer months, Antarctica's green plankton bloom grows so large it can be seen from outer space.
Work and play —
Brooks was part of a team measuring plankton in the water. During the summer months, Antarctica's green plankton bloom grows so large it can be seen from outer space.
Courtesy Rob Dunbar
"We were there to test what happens to all that phytoplankton, which provides a vital source of carbon -- or food -- to the system. Does it sink out to the bottom? Get eaten over the summer? Does it get transported out of the system? Many think that this large source of phytoplankton is the reason why the Ross Sea has such large populations of predators," explained Brooks.
Science of the sea —
"We were there to test what happens to all that phytoplankton, which provides a vital source of carbon -- or food -- to the system. Does it sink out to the bottom? Get eaten over the summer? Does it get transported out of the system? Many think that this large source of phytoplankton is the reason why the Ross Sea has such large populations of predators," explained Brooks.
Courtesy Cassandra Brooks
"The Ross Sea is the last intact marine ecosystem we have left on the planet, according to many scientists," said Brooks. "Some say it is our last chance to understand how a healthy marine ecosystem functions."
Magnificent marine life —
"The Ross Sea is the last intact marine ecosystem we have left on the planet, according to many scientists," said Brooks. "Some say it is our last chance to understand how a healthy marine ecosystem functions."
Courtesy Cassandra Brooks
Despite the breath-taking beauty of this icy underworld, conditions could also be brutal with winds of 110 kilometers per hour and temperatures plunging to -40C.
Cold comfort —
Despite the breath-taking beauty of this icy underworld, conditions could also be brutal with winds of 110 kilometers per hour and temperatures plunging to -40C.
Courtesy Cassandra Brooks