National Geographic Polar Explorations

What draws people to the poles; the significance these regions hold for the planet; beginning to answer these questions with journalist Fen Montaigne; delving into the story of Ernest Shackleton's struggles in Antarctica; Montaigne's own experiences.

It is easy to take the sun for granted; the poles experience six months each of continuous night and constant day; what causes the strange behavior of the sun at the poles; what causes seasons; finding out with astronomy professor Edward Murphy.

The North and South Poles share a history that is unique; Professor Michael Wysession lays the groundwork for understanding the polar regions; a discussion of their geology; their similarities and differences.

Hundreds of people perish trying to find their way to the North Pole; hundreds more spend a long time trapped on ships in Arctic sea ice; how explorers such as Henry Hudson, Sir John Franklin and Roald Amundsen open up the polar region to the world.

Virtually every living thing in polar waters evolves in a world dominated by sea ice; how Arctic and Antarctic marine ecosystems work; what happens to a sea ice-dependent marine ecosystem when the sea ice begins to disappear.

A closer look at the unique geologic characteristics of the North Pole and the Arctic Circle; a brief geologic tour of the Arctic regions; how the ocean, atmosphere and surface geology all interact; how this region changes geologically over time.

Constellations are vital to the early Inuits' survival; how they use the daily, monthly and annual motions of the stars; exploring this tradition; how it differs from Western astronomy; investigating what causes the breathtaking aurora borealis.

Arctic dwellers comprise approximately 40 different ethnic groups; how the Nenets of Russia, the Inuit of North America and other communities survive; how industrialization and other factors are altering traditional ways of life.

The past, present and future of three of the most notable islands in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions; Iceland, one of the world's most geologically active areas; Greenland, which dwarfs all other Arctic islands in size; the Svalbard archipelago.

What will become of the polar bear now that Arctic sea ice is retreating; whether it will survive; if so, in what numbers; how changes to the ecosystem are affecting polar bears and other animals that call the Arctic home, such as the lemming.

Discovering the array of avian life that lives in, breeds in and migrates to the planet's polar regions; the albatross; the skua; the giant petrel; the Arctic tern, which carries out the longest annual migration of any living thing.

An overview of the mammalian wildlife that inhabits or migrates to polar waters, including white beluga whales, leopard seals and crabeater seals; examining the sophisticated social structure of orcas; why it makes them such effective predators.

Meeting some of the figures of Antarctica's "heroic era," who vastly expand people's knowledge of the southernmost continent; what drives these adventurers despite extreme hardship; Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott's race to the South Pole.

Antarctica's ice is more than a mile thick and millions of years old; at times in its history, the continent is covered with jungles; investigating the unusual geologic processes occurring in Antarctica; what features may be buried under the ice.

Above Antarctica is a cap of stars and constellations hidden from view in the Northern Hemisphere; surveying the region's astronomical highlights; why astronomers and other scientists enjoy unrivaled research conditions at the South Pole.

How humans get beneath the surface of Arctic ice or the Antarctic Ocean; marine conservationist Sylvia Earle explains the technologies scientists use to dive safely beneath the sea ice in an effort to expand humanity's knowledge of marine ecosystems.

What will happen if humans change the temperature or chemistry of the ocean; a look at the delicate ecosystems of Earth's oceans; considering the consequences of treating oceanic wildlife as commodities.

The sub-Antarctic islands feature a wide array of wildlife despite wanton exploitation beginning in the 18th century; learning how seal, whale and penguin populations are devastated on and around sub-Antarctic's South Georgia and Macquarie islands.

Apsley Cherry-Garrard says "all the world loves a penguin,"; getting acquainted with Adelie, emperor and chinstrap penguins by exploring how each evolves into a swimmer; exploring their interaction with humans and their cycles of reproduction.

Surveying the discoveries made and hardships suffered during centuries of scientific exploration in Antarctica; a research expedition that seeks viable emperor penguin eggs; seeing how Antarctic research helps create the modern sciences.

Being in the Arctic and a polar bear approaches one's ship; learning what camera settings should be chosen; Ralph Lee Hopkins explains how to navigate the challenges of polar photography; dealing with a white world; shooting atop a moving platform.

Photography blends creative and technical; learning how to use lighting, composition and moment to one's advantage in the Arctic and Antarctica; techniques such as changing perspective, incorporating people into your shots and using negative space.