12 September, 2024 Press releases

Your name will go on a journey to the frozen wilderness!

New project seeks to inspire, educate and entertain the public about Antarctica.

Do you dream of visiting Antarctica? Well, now’s your chance to follow a journey to the frozen continent – according to the naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.

Ticket to Antarctica invites the public to follow an adventure to Antarctica aboard the UK’s Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough.

Launching today (Thursday 12 September) people can sign up at tickettoantarctica.co.uk to add their name to a time capsule that will travel thousands of miles on the research ship to the UK’s Rothera Research Station in Antarctica, operated by British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

As well as receiving a souvenir digital ‘ticket’ featuring campaign character Pebble Penguin, there will be weekly email updates from the voyage.

Ticket to Antarctica, created by the British Antarctic Survey, offers a fun, free and immersive experience, featuring:

  • Weekly email postcard updates: experience the voyage through the eyes of the ship’s crew, learn what to pack for a trip to Antarctica, enjoy stunning photographs of the wildlife including penguins, seals and whales, and explore the research stations where over 100 people live and work.
  • Activities: Those who sign up can get involved with Q&A sessions and try their hand at navigating around icebergs in our interactive game ‘Iceberg Invaders’, as well as joining a live link-up with Rothera Research Station in Antarctica.
  • The big sail: Mark your calendars for 13 October 2024, when the RRS Sir David Attenborough departs from its port of Harwich, in the UK and the adventure begins.
A penguin holding a boarding pass
Follow Pebble Penguin on a journey to the frozen continent.

Journey highlights:

  • Sail over 8,000 kilometres from the UK to Antarctica
  • Meet the crew and learn what it’s like to live and work at sea
  • See icebergs and the resident wildlife
  • Visit British Antarctic Survey’s research stations in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic. You’ll get to visit Rothera, Signy, Bird Island and King Edward Point Research Stations
  • Explore BAS’s centre for marine biology and gateway into the ‘deep field’ at Rothera Research Station, meeting the staff and scientists working at the forefront of polar research

Professor Dame Jane Francis is Director of the British Antarctic Survey. She says:

“We’re all fascinated with Antarctica, but the reality is that very few people will ever visit the frozen continent. This project will excite families and individuals alike, allowing them to experience the wonders of Antarctica from their homes. All you need is a computer or mobile to join in with the fun and adventure.

“You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about why Antarctica is important and why our research is helping us understand this frozen world and how it is changing.”

Ticket to Antarctica aims to bring the magic of the Antarctic to people of all ages – creating a deeper understanding and appreciation for this remote continent, and the science taking place to understand the impact of climate change.

To register for your free ticket and follow this adventure sign up now at: http://tickettoantarctica.co.uk

Graphic that says send your name to Antarctica