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Year 9 NSW
Topic : Discovery and exploration
In this topic you will learn...
Chapter 1 :
Travelling to Antarctica: past and present
Early explorers believed that there was an undiscovered continent in the south of the world.
Captain James Cook was the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle in 1773.
A Russian man, Thaddeus von Bellingshausen, was the first explorer to sight land in Antarctica.
John Davis was the first person to set foot on Antarctic land
The Ross Ice Shelf is named after the explorer James Ross
Early travel to Antarctica was dangerous and only possible by ship
Ships carry food and other essential supplies to Antarctica
The ship 'Aurora Australis' is the main link between Australia and Antarctica
An icebreaker ship is sometimes used to cut a path through sea ice so other ships can pass.
Aeroplanes are sometimes used to transport people and light goods.
Chapter 2 :
Famous explorers
Robert Scott and his men also reached the South Pole, a month after Amundsen. Scott and his team died on their return journey
Ernest Shackleton went to great lengths to save his men after their boats capsized on the Endurance expedition
Douglas Mawson is Australia's most famous Antarctic explorer
Chapter 3 :
Scientific exploration
Most research takes place in the summer months
Scientists monitor weather in Antarctica and its affect on weather in the rest of the world
Scientists also explore the climate changes that are taking place in Antarctica
Antarctica is a good place to view the stars
Biologists study plants and animals in Antarctica
This topic includes
16 colour images
6 flash animations
2 videos
15 activities
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