Latest Topics in News
India Launches Groundbreaking First Arctic Winter Expedition for Climate Change Research
India is embarking on its first-ever Arctic Winter Expedition this week, marking a significant advancement in its polar research capabilities. The expedition team comprises four scientists, funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, who will conduct studies from December 2023 to January 2024 focusing on atmospheric sciences, astronomy, astrophysics, climate studies and more. The site of the expedition is Himadri, India’s research station located in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, which has now become only the fourth station in the Arctic circle with year-round human presence.
The Arctic region, encompassing the Arctic Ocean north of latitude 66° 34’ N, has undergone over 4°C of warming in the past century as per scientific studies. Additional research in the study “Sea-ice-free Arctic during the Last Interglacial supports fast future loss” published in Nature Climate Change shows the Arctic sea ice extent decreasing by 13% per decade, with projections indicating an ice-free Arctic ocean as soon as the summer of 2040. These climatic changes highlight the influence of Arctic dynamics on global atmospheric circulations and sea levels.
By launching winter expeditions in the Arctic and enabling year-round observations from Himadri station, India expands its capabilities for studying pressing climate issues. Combined with the Arctic policy unveiled in 2022 outlining pillars of scientific cooperation and environmental protection, this first winter expedition signifies India’s growing strategic interests in the Arctic region. The resulting research will foster international collaboration on climate change while positioning India at the forefront of polar sciences.
Details of the 1st Arctic Winter Expedition
India’s first ever winter expedition to the Arctic comprises a 4-member scientific team from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, IIT-Mandi, Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, and Goa-based National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), undertaking research from December 2023 to January 2024. Funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the expedition focuses on various studies including atmospheric sciences, astronomy, astrophysics, and analyzing climate change impacts.
The team will conduct these experiments from India’s Himadri station located in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. Special preparations at Himadri Station will enable observations even through the polar night when the sun does not rise over the horizon.
What is the duration and funding details of the Arctic expedition?
The duration of the Arctic scientific expedition is one month, scheduled between December 19, 2023 and January 15, 2024. It is being funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Which organization is leading the Arctic expedition?
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) located in Goa is the nodal agency spearheading the Arctic expedition.
What is the SARAS experiment series that will be conducted?
SARAS Experiments
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Developed by | Raman Research Institute (RRI) |
| Experiment Focus | 21-cm signal from hydrogen during Cosmic Dawn and Epoch of Reionization |
| Cosmic Dawn | Birth of the first stars and galaxies in the universe |
| Periods Studied | Cosmic Dawn and Epoch of Reionization |
| Challenges | Lack of observations, faint and weak signals, interference from various sources |
The scientists in Indian Team will conduct the SARAS (Shaped Antenna measurement of the background RAdio Spectrum) series of experiments.
The SARAS experiments focus on studying the faint cosmological signal from hydrogen known as the 21-cm signal. Specifically, they examine this signal during two early evolutionary phases of the universe – the Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization.
What do we know about the Cosmic Dawn and Epoch of Reionization?
The Cosmic Dawn denotes when the first stars and galaxies formed in the universe. The Epoch of Reionization was another vital phase the early universe underwent several billion years ago. There is limited understanding of these periods due to lack of observations.
Why is it difficult to detect signals from those phases?
The signals emerging from the Cosmic Dawn and Epoch of Reionization phases are extremely faint and weak. Detecting them remains challenging. They are also affected by interference from brighter radiation sources like cell towers, FM/TV stations etc.
What instruments will be used to study signals in the Arctic?
Sensitive electronic instruments will study incoming radio signals in the 5 – 500 megahertz frequency range. The observations will occur at accessible sites near the Himadri research station.
Challenges of Arctic Expeditions
The extreme Arctic conditions pose significant challenges for sustained research endeavors. Temperatures at Himadri station average minus 14 degrees Celsius in February, making outdoor equipment functionality and sampling difficult. Additionally, only 3 other stations worldwide have achieved year-round human presence thus far due to the region’s hostility. These stations are
- Ny-Ålesund: Established by Japan’s National Institute of Polar Research in 1990
- Neumann: This station is operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Remote Sensing Research and is one of three German research stations in the Arctic.
- Tara River: Operated by the Norwegian Polar Institute
India’s Himadri research station in Svalbard, Norway, will become the fourth research station in the Arctic to be manned year-round after the successful completion of its winter expedition.
By overcoming barriers like perpetual darkness, bone-chilling cold, and geopolitical uncertainty, India’s winter expedition marks a technological and operational milestone for the nation. The resulting datasets will offer novel insights, while India’s enhanced capabilities solidify its position in polar discussions. Moreover, the expedition allows comparative analysis over changing seasonal dynamics – a boon for climate models. As the Arctic warms at over twice the global rate, the importance of winter observations will only intensify.
India’s Growing Arctic Presence
India’s engagement with the Arctic dates back over a century to the signing of the Svalbard Treaty in Paris, 1920, allowing Indian operations in the Norwegian Arctic under certain conditions. This paved the way for the 2007 launch of India’s first Arctic scientific expedition focusing on studies in glaciology, hydrochemistry, microbiology and more. The subsequent establishment of the Himadri research station in 2008 provided a permanent foothold for India’s polar research.
Since those early milestones, India has rapidly expanded its Arctic infrastructure and capabilities. The IndArc observatory deployed in 2014 enables multi-sensor monitoring of the Arctic environment while the Gruvebadet station set up in 2016 serves as India’s northernmost atmospheric laboratory.
India’s status as an observer member of the Arctic Council since 2013 further reflects its growing strategic interests in the region. This position was renewed in 2019 for five more years, allowing India to access cutting-edge polar research and shape policy discussions. Propelled by its 2022 Arctic Policy prioritizing science and environmental cooperation, India has launched its maiden winter expedition to the Arctic region.
Global Arctic Research Presence
The Arctic has become a critical hub for international scientific collaboration, with the remote Norwegian island settlement of Ny-Ålesund emerging as a central research node. The National Institute of Polar Research, Japan established the first permanent station there in 1990 which sparked a wave of other countries setting up outposts. Currently ten nations including India operate stations at Ny-Ålesund, making it a diverse circumpolar research community.
Evidence shows the Arctic influencing ecosystems and climate worldwide. Studies conducted via stations in Svalbard highlight concerning climatic changes like the Arctic warming at over twice the global rate. These findings are reported in various studies, including a study published in Communications Earth & Environment. Meanwhile Arctic sea ice extent is decreasing by 13% per decade, impacting greenhouse gas absorption and global weather patterns. This expedition underscores the global significance of expanding Arctic research year-round when possible.
Broader Significance
By launching history-making winter expeditions in the Arctic this year, India joins a select group of countries with around-the-clock polar presence. Its growing capabilities will enable more impactful contributions on pressing climate topics. Moreover, India’s Arctic policy prioritizes international cooperation – aligning with the collaborative spirit embraced by researchers in Ny-Ålesund’s extreme conditions.
