Martin Siegert
Jim goes under the Antarctic ice with glaciologist Martin Siegert to explore one of the most remote and extreme environments on earth, Lake Ellsworth. Will they find life?
For fifteen years, Martin Siegert has dreamt about Lake Ellsworth, a hidden lake buried beneath the Antarctic ice that's been cut off from the rest of the world for millions of years. Having studied data from airborne radar surveys, Martin knew the lake must exist and was determined to find out more. Finally, this winter, a team of British scientists led by Martin will drill through three kilometres of ice to unlock the secrets of this hidden lake. Can life exist in such a cold, dark and isolated place? And if so what form will it take? Martin describes working in Antarctica as being like an episode of Mash and explains why, unlike so many Antarctic scientists, he prefers analysing data to having icy adventures.
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Broadcasts
- Tue 21 Aug 2012 09:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4
- Tue 21 Aug 2012 21:30´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4
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The Life Scientific
Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work.