Belarusian polar explorers raise NASB flag on South Pole

Belarusian polar explorers have raised the flag of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) on the South Pole for the first time, leader of the Belarusian Antarctic expedition Alexei Gaidashov told the Belarus 1 TV channel.

Taking part in the sixth Belarusian Antarctic expedition were Alexei Gaidashov, Yuri Giginyak, and Ilya Bruchkovsky. The flag was hoisted as a gift to their alma mater – the National Academy of Sciences – that marks its 85th anniversary this year. The scientists wished new discoveries, achievements, successes and prosperity to the NASB. A team of the Russian Antarctic expedition also gave best wishes to the NASB. The TV channel showed the photos made by the scientists.

The sixth Belarusian Antarctic expedition kicked off on 5 November 2013. Instead of their permanent base (the field base Gora Vechernyaya) this time the Belarusian polar explorers headed to the Russian station Progress in Eastern Antarctica on the shore of the Prydz Bay near the Larsemann Hills. The Belarusian team will arrive in Minsk in April 2014.

The Belarusian polar explorers intend to carry out a series of scientific research, including biological, geophysical, meteorological studies and ozone measurements, as well as the studies of live sea, fresh water, and subsurface using a high-precision radar (locator). The device allows getting information about the geological structure of the region avoiding drilling and seismic techniques that are banned in Antarctica.

These days the National Academy of Sciences is celebrating two dates – its 85th anniversary and the Day of the Belarusian Science.