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Ancient Greeks; idea of Antarctica
Ancient Greeks came up with the idea of Antarctica -
Captian James Cook
Captain James Cook crosses the Antarctic circle and circumnavigates Antarctica, though he doesn't sight land, deposits of rock seen in icebergs -
Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen
He made the first sighting of the continent, reaching 69° 21'S, 2° 14'W - describing an "icefield covered with small hillocks." -
Captain John Davis
In the winter of 1821, for the first time ever a party of men spent a winter in Antarctica. -
James Weddell
British whaler James Weddell discovers the sea named after him and then reaches the most southerly point at that time 74° 15' S. -
James Clark Ross
In 1840, British naval officer and scientist James Clark Ross takes two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, to within 80 miles of the coast until stopped by a massive ice barrier -
Adrien de Gerlache
March. Adrien de Gerlache and the crew of the "Belgica" become trapped in pack ice off the Antarctic Peninsula in the first scientific expedition to the continent. -
Carsten Borchgrevink
Carsten Borchgrevink leads a British expedition that landed men at Cape Adare and built huts. -
Captain Scott,
Captain Scott, UK, leads his first Antarctic expedition to try to reach the South Pole, with Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson. They are forced to turn back two months later having reached 82 degrees south, suffering from snow blindness and scurvy. -
Douglas Mawson
January, Australian Douglas Mawson reaches the South Magnetic Pole. -
Ernest Shackleton
October. Ernest Shackleton returns to Antarctica in an attempt to complete the first crossing of the continent. The goal is not attained, but one of the greatest adventures of all time follows. Their ship is crushed in the sea ice and a small party sets out for South Georgia and the whaling station. The party is eventually rescued in 1917. -
Antarctic Party
Antarctic treaty comes into effect -
International Polar Year
International Polar Year - Actually Spans two years in order that researchers get the opportunity to work in both polar regions or work summer and winter if they wish.