6 Polar Documentaries to Watch
With the summer heat still persisting, we want to offer you a trip to somewhere cool… VERY cool. Think- an icy silver landscape with cool blue waters and massive floating icebergs. Come on an arctic adventure with us with these awesome polar documentaries. All you need is to press play.
Antarctica vs the Arctic and other polar facts
The Arctic refers to the area around the Earth’s North Pole. Antarctica is the continent at the South Pole. There is no large landmass at the North Pole, all that white on the map is simply frozen water.
The South Pole is significantly colder than the North Pole. It also has large mountain ranges. Because of the thick ice blanketing the continent, it is known as the highest continent, with an average surface elevation of around 2000 meters above sea level. The Antarctic is not controlled by any one country, and is instead governed by the Antarctic Treaty.
The word “Arctic” comes from the Greek word “arktos” which means “bear”. This is because of Ursa Major and Ursa minor, prominent constellations in the northern sky. Currently, eight countries have territory in the Arctic Circle: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.
Both the Arctic and Antarctic are tricky places to live. Organisms face incredibly harsh conditions and are specially adapted to do so.
NOVA | Polar Extremes
Follow a paleontologist to the far reaches of our planet as he looks at the distant past of the poles. Get ready for extreme temperatures, fascinating facts and even a few dinosaurs.
Evolution Earth: Ice
In this episode of Evolution Earth, adventure with narrator Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton as he looks at Polar Bears and their unique arctic adaptations. Think- close-up shots of baby polar bears.
Then, journey to Antarctica to look at glaciers and penguin families as they hunt for food for their chicks.
The episode also discusses what the changing world means for these animals, and for us.
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Nature | Expedition Killer Whale
Adventure, whales, a charismatic team of researchers, rare footage of animals on the hunt- this episode has got it. Journey south to the waters of Antarctica to learn about killer whales.
In this clip, listen as filmmakers record pack-ice killer whale vocalizations for the first time.
Beneath the Polar Sun
Join a research team setting out to measure the world’s largest and oldest sea ice floes. Study the ice along with Steve, a veteran Arctic expedition leader and Chris, a polar oceanographer.
Naure | American Arctic
Head to the chilly Alaskan wilderness to follow arctic animals as they migrate.
In this clip, witness a muskox calf's first day.
