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Alert
As of midnight, December 20, 2024, the U.S. government is experiencing a lapse in appropriations. Until the situation is resolved, please refer to OPM.gov website regarding the status for federal employees. We expect the U.S. Antarctic Program to remain operational under our contractor for the foreseeable future. Should the situation change, we will post additional information on this website when it is legally permissible to do so.

Bidding Farewell to an Antarctic Legend
New USAP Headlines
Wednesday April 30, 2025

After 30 incredible years of service, Ivan the Terra Bus has been retired from service to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) McMurdo Station.

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Preparations Underway for a new Barge Pier at NSF McMurdo Station
New USAP Headlines
Tuesday April 29, 2025

As part of the Antarctic Infrastructure Recapitalization (AIR) efforts, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build a barge pier at NSF McMurdo

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Upcoming event: chat with scientists live in Antarctica
USAP Headlines
Thursday March 06, 2025

Join NSF Palmer Station Science Lead Dr. Natasja van Gestel on March 14, at 1:00 p.m. ET to learn about the research being conducted at this small but mighty station.

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Reminder from the NSF SAHPR Program Office for 2024-25 Antarctic Summer Season
USAP Headlines
Tuesday October 15, 2024

As the 2024-25 austral summer season begins, the NSF Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response (SAHPR) Program Office works closely with the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) to prevent sexual violence

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Weather anomaly experienced in the McMurdo Dry Valleys
USAP Headlines
Thursday September 05, 2024

An atmospheric river event in March 2022 led to record warm temperatures over much of Antarctica.

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USAP Station Webcams

Live Images from Antarctica

McMurdo Station - Arrival Heights Webcam
McMurdo Station - Observation Hill Webcam
McMurdo Station - McMurdo Pier Webcam
McMurdo Station - Lodging Construction Webcam
South Pole Station - Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station Webcam
South Pole Station - South Pole Radio Telescopes Webcam
Palmer Station - Palmer Station Webcam

Office of Polar Programs News

Sign up for the NSF Office of Polar Programs newsletter and events.

Most Recent

Update on the NSF OPP-Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

Update on the NSF OPP-Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

Office of Polar Programs News
Wednesday April 09, 2025

The U.S. National Science Foundation has archived the NSF Office of Polar Programs (NSF OPP) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship program. The program will not accept proposals for 2025.


Upcoming event: chat with scientists live in Antarctica

Upcoming event: chat with scientists live in Antarctica

Office of Polar Programs News
Thursday March 06, 2025

Join NSF Palmer Station Science Lead Dr. Natasja van Gestel on March 14, at 1:00 p.m. ET to learn about the research being conducted at this small but mighty station, and what it's like to work and live there.


Media

USAP Photo Library

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View current and historical photos profiling science, scenery, wildlife, and more.


The Antarctic Sun

The Antarctic Sun logo

The official source for news of the United States Antarctic Program and US Antarctic Stations.

Features

Special Report

A site map of the proposed new McMurdo Station taken from the NSF Blue Ribbon Panel Report

Take a look at the National Science Foundation's plans for the future of science and logistics in Antarctica.