Latest news with #RRS
ITV News
4 hours ago
- Science
- ITV News
RRS Sir David Attenborough central to discovering Antarctica's changing climate
For all the wildlife, wilderness and wonder in Antarctica, ITV News has been on a journey of scientific discovery through unchartered waters. The scientists aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough are getting the data which drives global climate science. The team have collected a certain type of moss they can share with scientists back in the Netherlands - just one example of scientists across the world working together. Samples collected will be kept in a freezer to be analysed later. What might look like mud to the average person is to Marine Chemist Dr Rhiannon Jones a gold mine of data. 'What we've previously seen is that glaciers are really important in the summer providing food to the ocean nearby through meltwater. But what we've seen in winter this time is it looks like there are different drivers of that food supply.' During this journey, the RRS Sir David Attenborough has been mapping the sea floor, often passing through unchartered waters which used to be solid glaciers. Measurements show walls of ice can stretch up to 200 metres underwater, making them even more susceptible to warming waters than previously thought. Professor Mike Meredith, from the British Antarctic Survey, told ITV News that scientists have learned more about global warming during the journey. 'We've learnt a lot about how the ocean impacts the glaciers in Antarctica and how that works differently in the winter rather than the summertime.' This new information will help forecast how Antarctica will change as climate change progresses.
ITV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Antarctica: Following Shackleton's Endurance mission 100 years on
A century after Shackleton's ship Endurance sunk near Elephant Island, ITV News' Martin Stew makes the same journey on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
ITV News
a day ago
- Science
- ITV News
'115 humpback whales in one day' - ITV News' Polar team inspires the next generation of scientists
ITV News' Martin Stew and members of the British Antarctic Survey fielded questions at the Eureka Museum - whilst on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Science
- ITV News
Antarctica's hidden sea life could be used for washing powders and ice creams
ITV News Science Correspondent Martin Stew is the only journalist on board the British research ship the RRS Sir David Attenborough, as it takes part in an expedition deep within the Antarctic Circle. No other British ship has made the journey this far south, this late in winter, since the explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated Endurance voyage, when his ship became trapped in the pack ice and sank in 1915. Diving in Antarctica is not for the faint-hearted. First, you often need to chainsaw through the sea ice, then plunge into the dark frozen water. Divers have special equipment from fleece underlayers to dry suits and lobster claw-shaped gloves which seal to the dry suit - even so, your hands still go numb. They have to be tethered at all times to a team above the ice to make sure they don't lose the hole to get back out. There's also the not inconsiderable risk of wildlife, orcas and leopard seals are the Apex predators in the area. But for the British Antarctic Survey marine biologists at Rothera station in Antarctica, the pain is worth it. They're in a race against time to understand and protect the marine life that can cope with sub-zero temperatures, before it disappears. It's estimated there are 20,000 species on the sea bed of the Southern Ocean. More than half of them haven't even been named. Marine biologists are trying to understand more about these weird and wonderful creatures. From brittle stars to colourful urchins and sea spiders up to two feet in diameter, the diversity on the ocean floor is incredible. But these creatures are at risk from climate change. To simulate the warming of the ocean, scientists have fitted heat pads to the seabed. They warmed areas by just a degree or two. Even with that limited rise in temperature, most of the creatures initially saw a growth spurt and then started to die. That's not just an ecological nightmare; it's also a loss of a potential goldmine of biological expertise. These species may hold the key to everything from new medicines to cold water enzymes for washing powders, and even ingredients to prevent ice cream from crystallising. 'If the Earth warms up, the first places to disappear are the cold ones,' Professor Lloyd Peck told me. 'There's no chance of them coming back. You're losing out on potential pharmaceutical discoveries. But don't forget all the animals people care about, the penguins and birds rely on the diverse ecosystem.' There's another challenge. Iceberg carving, where chunks of land ice break off and fall into the ocean, is a natural phenomenon, but it appears to be happening more regularly as the climate warms. As the bergs scour across the seabed, they kill much of the life below. When this happens infrequently, it can have a positive effect, boosting life in the long run in a similar way to a wildfire on land. The worry is, if we see icebergs carving more regularly, will wildlife still have time to recover? 'A little bit of disturbance is good' According to marine biologist Pati Glaz 'because it makes them stronger and grow back in numbers. [But] because it's more frequent they just don't have the time to grow back.' She does though hold out hope that scientists can meet the challenge in time. 'I think slowly piece by piece every single person can make a difference there's loads of researchers across Antarctica and the world that if work together I think we can do it.' She and the team are certainly willing to go to extremes to try.
Engadget
3 days ago
- Business
- Engadget
Peak Design's new tripods take aim at the professional set
Peak Design is building on the success of its innovative Travel Tripod. The photography accessory maker is launching a new Pro Tripod on Kickstarter. The latest model comes in three flavors: Pro Lite, Pro and Pro Tall. As you might expect, their prices dwarf that of the (already expensive) Travel Tripod. The Pro Tripod is scaled up for greater stiffness and maximum height. It has stronger legs, an all-CNC-machined hub and a flanged center column. This results in double the weight capacity of the Travel Tripod, which supports 20 lbs. The new Pro Tripod and Pro Tall Tripod each support 40 lbs. Meanwhile, the Pro Lite Tripod handles a bit less at 35 lbs. When packed, the Pro models take up more space than the Travel model, but they'll still easily fit in a backpack. The Pro and Pro Lite Tripods measure just under 20 inches. The Pro Tall Tripod folds down to 22.9 inches. The Pro and Pro Tall models weigh just over 4 lbs, while the Pro Lite weighs 3.7 lbs. Peak Design is also selling new accessories for those with the most demanding needs. The tilt mod will be essential for those who need the smoothest video. It converts the Pro line's standard ball head into a fluid pan-and-tilt one. The Pro Leveling Base enables quick leveling on uneven terrain. And the Pro Spike Feet will help the tripod grip slippery or loose ground. If you thought the Travel Tripod was expensive, well, brace yourself. The Pro Lite Tripod is estimated to cost $800. The Pro Tripod is expected to cost $900. And the Pro Tall Tripod will retail for approximately $1,000. They're "estimated" prices since the products are only now arriving on Kickstarter. But, as is often the case with crowdfunding, pledging early will get you a discount. If you're aghast at the pricing, well, that's entirely understandable. But consider that Peak Design is truly targeting professionals here. It isn't uncommon to see tripods from brands like RRS and Gitzo crack the $1,000 barrier. Engadget plans to review the Pro Tripod to see how it stands up (sorry) to pro-level needs. The Pro Lite Tripod is expected to ship in October. Meanwhile, the company is aiming for February 2026 for the Pro and Pro Tall models. You can learn more in the video below and on the Kickstarter page.
