4th National Antarctic Science Expedition Begins

Preparations for the 4th National Antarctica Science Expedition, to be conducted under the auspices of the Presidency, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Technology and coordinated by TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute, have been completed. The team traveling to Antarctica, where average air temperatures reach -20 degrees Celsius in summer and -40 degrees Celsius in winter, underwent training in sea survival, fire prevention, firefighting and basic first aid at Viaport Tuzla marina. Prof. Ersan Başar, leader of the 4th National Antarctica Science Campaign and Karadeniz Technical University faculty member, described Antarctica as a "natural laboratory" for scientists. Başar announced that 22 Turkish scientists and two foreign scientists will participate in the scientific expedition, which will depart from Istanbul on 9 February, stating: "Every scientific research we conduct here contributes to global science. Global warming is already one of our biggest challenges. Therefore, having the opportunity to work here is very important." Noting his participation in three previous science expeditions, Başar described the climate as extremely difficult, saying: "Working conditions are not easy at all. You need to be prepared both psychologically and physically motivated. Only in this way can you sustain your life and conduct proper scientific work." Associate Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy, Director of TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) Polar Research Institute (KARE), stated that the 4th National Antarctica Science Expedition team completed preparations by undergoing training in sea survival, fire prevention, firefighting and basic first aid. Özsoy explained that 15 scientific projects will be executed during the expedition, noting: "We have participants from the General Directorate of Meteorology, General Directorate of Mapping, Naval Forces Command, and a teacher from the Ministry of Education. During the expedition, these participants will execute these 15 projects. These projects will naturally be carried out with participants from various Turkish universities." TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) Polar Research Institute (KARE), Associate Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy stated that as the fourth national Antarctic science team, they completed preparations by undergoing sea survival, fire prevention, firefighting and basic first aid training. Özsoy disclosed that 15 scientific projects will be conducted during the expedition, stating: "We have participants from the General Directorate of Meteorology, General Directorate of Mapping, Naval Forces, and a teacher from the General Directorate of National Education. During the expedition, they will execute these 15 projects. It will be carried out with participants from various Turkish universities."

Temperatures reaching -60 degrees

Fatma Şahin, Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality and member of the expedition team, noted that the 4th National Antarctica Science Expedition will take place under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and under the supervision of the Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, stating: "The expedition has a team of 24 people. We are part of this team. Our Industry Minister specifically asked us to participate in this expedition because TEKNOFEST is being held in Gaziantep and because of our goal to transition to high technology. We came here willingly to share this excitement. Because it will be a journey under very difficult conditions, with temperatures reported to reach -60 degrees. We came for preliminary training on what to do under all circumstances. Hopefully the expedition starts on the 9th. The expedition is in our hands; success is in God's hands. I am excited, excited about where my country has reached in science and technology. I feel great honour both in being part of this team and in my country's rapid progress towards new goals."   Source: AA, bandology.com