The exhibition “Stars of the Polar Night” by photographer Esther Horvath at the Capa Center (Budapest, Hungary) recently depicted images of female researchers working in the harsh Arctic land of Ny-Alesund (Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard archipelago, Norway).
Love for the environment
Explorer and photographer Esther Horvath is fascinated by the female scientists who dedicate their lives to conducting climate research in the challenging Arctic environment. She braves the cold winters to follow them on their expeditions.
She not only documents the work that takes place near the North Pole, but also subtly conveys the daily life and dedication of researchers working in extreme conditions. There is no road to the international research base at the world's northernmost point:
There is only a monthly boat service and a 14-seater plane that comes every two weeks. There is no radio in Ny-Alesund and no wifi. Winter lasts four months, and scientists work in snowstorms and temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees.
They study how the Arctic is changing and how climate change is affecting humanity. It is the epicentre of global warming, where average winter temperatures have risen by 6-8 degrees Celsius since 1991. This increase is faster than anywhere else on the planet.
Esther Horvath at the North Pole
The exhibition “Stars of the Polar Night” aims to inspire the next generation of female scientists and explorers. Each woman is depicted in the magical night sky of Ny-Alesund, with research tools at a place they connect with through their work or dreams. They all have one thing in common: a concern and love for the environment.
Collecting data in the polar regions is how scientists study how the world is changing. Such research is important to human life on Earth.
Susana Garcia Espada, operations engineer at the Geodetic Observatory in Ny-Alesund, stands in the light of the observatory's 20-meter-wide radio telescope. The giant antennas scan for signals from distant celestial bodies called quasars that are up to 13 billion light-years away.
The pulses of light can tell researchers where Earth is in space, how fast it orbits the Sun, and how fast its crust is moving — all factors that influence our climate.
Julia Martin probes snow depth
Using geodesy, scientists like Espada can track changes in the Earth’s shape, gravity, and rotation. It also allows them to more accurately track rising sea levels and melting ice.
“I feel grateful every day for the challenge and opportunity to work at the Geodetic Observatory in Ny-Alesund. I love the Arctic landscape. I am always impressed by the light and its changes. I am grateful to be in the middle of Arctic nature. It makes me feel more connected to the environment and myself,” says Susana Garcia Espada.
"I will try to save this planet..."
Meanwhile, Julia Martin holds an automated snow depth probe to measure snow depth. Julia is a snow scientist, studying how snow affects permafrost thaw.
Ms. Signe Maria Brunk
Snow in winter can act as an insulator, keeping the ground warm – much like a quilt. In spring, snow can reflect a lot of solar radiation, keeping the ground cool. These processes can affect the temperature of the permafrost and affect thawing.
"I cannot save everyone but I will try to save this planet by pointing to the cries for help, the bleeding wounds and the scars of the Earth. For me, the most vulnerable and beautiful places on our Earth are in the high latitudes, where snow creates beautiful and fascinating landscapes with its whiteness and endless winter.
The cryosphere needs to be protected because it is extremely sensitive and fragile even though the ice sheets seem so large and long-lasting. That is what I am trying to do. Science is my powerful way to wake people up and show society what we will lose if we continue to only think about ourselves when no one wants to change," said Julia Martin.
Engineer Susana Garcia Espada
Signe Maria Brunk moved to Svalbard from Sweden in 2016. After working in the tourism industry, she turned to scientific research, focusing on the conservation of nature, flora and fauna in particular in Svalbard. The position at Ny-Alesund Station was perfect for her. The drive for adventure and the need for research brought her to the Arctic.
American Dr. Katie Sipes has many motivations for studying the Arctic. She explores some of the environments on Earth and the organisms that depend on them. Studying these organisms and environments will allow humans to better understand the incredible scale and diversity that exists on our planet, which in turn will help us understand other planets.
“I feel a personal connection to the Arctic because this pristine and endangered ecosystem is on the brink of disappearing forever. The purity of the Arctic amplifies our desire to preserve and study all of its secrets that could change our world forever,” said Katie Sipes.
Photographer Esther Horvath with her works
Photographer Esther Horvath won the 2020 World Press Photo Contest's Environment category first prize. In 2022, she received the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York (USA). In 2024, she was awarded the National Geographic Wayfinder Award for her work on science, conservation, education, and technology. She has documented 25 scientific expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. Horvath's work has been published in many famous magazines such as: National Geographic, The New York Times, GEO, Stern, TIME and The Guardian.
Source: National Geographic, estherhorvath.com
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nhung-nha-khoa-hoc-nu-dan-than-o-bac-cuc-20241211172207888.htm
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