Watch Polar Explorations

2015
1 Season

Polar Explorations from The Great Courses Signature Collection is an educational and insightful show that delves into the history and science of polar exploration. Hosted by Michael E. Wysession and Edward M. Murphy, the show takes the viewer on a journey through the fascinating and treacherous world of the Arctic and Antarctic.

The show is divided into six episodes, each of which explores a different aspect of polar exploration. The first episode sets the stage for the rest of the series by providing an introduction to the polar regions and their unique characteristics. The remaining five episodes delve deeper into topics such as the history of polar exploration, the science behind polar phenomena, and the modern-day challenges facing researchers working in these remote and harsh environments.

One of the standout features of Polar Explorations is the way that it blends history, science, and personal anecdotes to create a rich and engaging viewing experience. The hosts draw on their own experiences as researchers in the polar regions, as well as the experiences of the many explorers and scientists who have come before them. Through archival footage, photographs, and maps, viewers are transported back in time to witness the triumphs and hardships of early polar explorers such as Robert Peary, Roald Amundsen, and Ernest Shackleton.

However, the show is not just a historical retrospective. The hosts also explore the cutting-edge science that is currently being conducted in the polar regions, from studying ice cores to analyzing the behavior of marine mammals. Through stunning footage and engaging explanations, viewers gain a deep appreciation for the ecological and climatic importance of these remote regions.

Throughout the series, the hosts emphasize the importance of collaboration and teamwork in polar exploration. Viewers learn about the many individuals and organizations that contribute to polar research, from the scientists and support staff on research vessels to the indigenous communities that call these regions home. The hosts also discuss the ethical considerations involved in conducting research in such sensitive and isolated environments, such as the need to minimize the impact on local wildlife and ecosystems.

Overall, Polar Explorations from The Great Courses Signature Collection is a fascinating and informative series for anyone interested in polar exploration, history, or science. The hosts combine their academic expertise with a personal passion for the subject matter, creating a show that is both educational and emotionally compelling. From the first episode to the last, viewers are taken on a journey that is at times harrowing, inspiring, and awe-inspiring. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a curious armchair traveler, Polar Explorations is sure to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the polar regions.

Polar Explorations is a series that ran for 1 seasons (22 episodes) between March 9, 2015 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection

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Seasons

22. Photographing Polar Landscapes

March 9, 2015

Photography is a blend of the creative and the technical and, in this lecture, you'll focus on the creative side of the equation. Learn how to use lighting, composition, and moment to your advantage in the Arctic and Antarctica through techniques such as changing perspective, incorporating people into your shots, and using negative space.

21. Basics of Polar Photography

March 9, 2015

Picture being in the Arctic when a polar bear approaches your ship. What kind of camera should you use to capture the moment? What settings should you choose? Here, National Geographic photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins explains how to navigate the unique challenges of polar photography, from dealing with a "white world" to shooting atop a moving platform.

20. Antarctica - A Continent for Science

March 9, 2015

Survey the discoveries made and hardships suffered during centuries of scientific exploration in Antarctica, including a research expedition that sought viable emperor penguin eggs in an attempt to unlock an evolutionary mystery. See how Antarctic research helped create the modern sciences of oceanography, climatology, and glaciology, and is still driving scientific progress.

19. Living among the Penguins

March 9, 2015

Legendary Antarctic adventurer Apsley Cherry-Garrard said "all the world loves a penguin" and in this lecture, you'll understand why. Get acquainted with Adelie, emperor, and chinstrap penguins by exploring how each evolved into the fat, flightless swimmer it is today. Explore the history of their interaction with humans and their remarkable cycles of reproduction and survival.

18. South Georgia and Macquarie

March 9, 2015

Among the least inhabited places on Earth, the sub-Antarctic islands feature a spectacular array of wildlife despite a history of wanton exploitation beginning in the 18th century. Learn how seal, whale, and penguin populations were devastated on and around two of the sub-Antarctic's most significant islands - South Georgia and Macquarie - and how each population has largely recovered.

17. Resource Development in Polar Seas

March 9, 2015

Humans are extracting krill and other marine life at unprecedented levels. Burning fossil fuels is causing ocean acidification. What will happen if we change the temperature or chemistry of the ocean? Consider such questions in this lecture on the delicate ecosystems of Earth's oceans and the consequences of treating oceanic wildlife as commodities.

16. Diving under Polar Ice

March 9, 2015

How do humans get beneath the surface of Arctic ice or the Antarctic Ocean? Join marine conservationist Sylvia Earle, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, as she explains the technologies scientists use to dive safely beneath the sea ice in an effort to expand our knowledge of marine ecosystems at both poles.

15. Antarctica's Window on the Universe

March 9, 2015

Above Antarctica is a cap of stars and constellations hidden from view in the Northern Hemisphere and containing some of the most beautiful sights in the night sky. Survey the region's astronomical highlights and learn why, at the South Pole itself, astronomers and other scientists enjoy research conditions unrivaled anywhere else on Earth.

14. Geological Features of Antarctica

March 9, 2015

The ice in Antarctica may be more than a mile thick and millions of years old, but at times in its history the continent has been covered with jungles. Investigate the unusual geologic processes occurring in Antarctica and discover what features may be buried under all that ice.

13. The Race for the South Pole

March 9, 2015

Meet some of the towering figures of Antarctica's "heroic era," explorers and scientists in the early 20th century who vastly expanded our knowledge of the southernmost continent. Learn what drove these adventurers despite extreme hardship, and witness the treacherous race to the South Pole between Norwegian Roald Amundsen and Brit Robert Falcon Scott.

12. Marine Mammals, from Whales to Walruses

March 9, 2015

The waters of the Arctic and Antarctica teem with a remarkable number of marine mammals. Get an overview of the mammalian wildlife that inhabits or migrates to polar waters, including white beluga whales, leopard seals, crabeater seals, and walruses. Examine the sophisticated social structure of orcas, also known as killer whales, and why it makes them such effective predators.

11. Seabirds of the Arctic and Antarctic

March 9, 2015

Discover the astonishing array of avian life - primarily consisting of seabirds - that live in, breed in, and migrate to the planet's polar regions, including the albatross, the skua, the giant petrel, and the extraordinary Arctic tern, which carries out the longest annual migration of any living thing.

10. Terrestrial Mammals in the Changing Arctic

March 9, 2015

Now that Arctic sea ice is retreating, what will become of the polar bear? Will it survive and, if so, in what numbers? Learn how changes to the ecosystem are affecting the polar bears and the other remarkable animals that call the Arctic home, from the lemming to the Arctic fox.

9. Greenland and Arctic Islands

March 9, 2015

Delve into the past, present, and future of three of the most notable islands in the Arctic and sub-Arctic: Iceland, one of the world's most geologically active areas; Greenland, which dwarfs all other Arctic islands in size; and the Svalbard archipelago, home to The Global Seed Vault.

8. Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic

March 9, 2015

Although fewer than a half-million in number, Arctic dwellers are comprised of approximately 40 different ethnic groups. Learn how the Nenets of Russia, the Inuit of North America, and other communities survive, and how industrialization and other factors are altering traditional ways of life.

7. Science and Spirits of the Arctic Sky

March 9, 2015

Constellations were vital to the early Inuits' survival, as they used the daily, monthly, and annual motions of the stars for timekeeping, navigation, and tracking the seasons. Explore this tradition and how it differs from Western astronomy, then investigate what causes the breathtaking aurora borealis.

6. Geology of the Arctic Circle

March 9, 2015

Zoom in for a closer look at the unique geologic characteristics of the North Pole and surrounding Arctic Circle. First, take a brief geologic tour of the Arctic regions, then examine how the ocean, atmosphere, and surface geology all interact, and how this region has changed geologically over time.

5. The Icy Heart of Polar Seas

March 9, 2015

Virtually every living thing in polar waters - from single-celled phytoplankton to whales - has evolved in a world dominated by sea ice. Study how Arctic and Antarctic marine ecosystems work, and consider what happens to a sea ice-dependent marine ecosystem when the sea ice begins to disappear.

4. The Saga of Arctic Exploration

March 9, 2015

Over the centuries, hundreds of people have perished trying to find their way through the Northwest Passage and to the North Pole, while hundreds more have spent months or years trapped on ships in Arctic sea ice. Discover how explorers such as Henry Hudson, Sir John Franklin, and Roald Amundsen opened up this polar region to the world.

3. Connections between the Poles

March 9, 2015

The North and South Poles share a history that is unique and unlike any other place on Earth. Join Professor Michael Wysession as he lays the groundwork for understanding the polar regions with a discussion of their geology - dominated by ice, ocean, climate, and even nearby outer space - as well as their similarities and differences.

2. Seasons at the Poles

March 9, 2015

In the latitudes where most of us live, it's easy to take the sun for granted. For us, the sun comes up and goes down reliably every day, yet the poles experience six months each of continuous night and constant day. What causes the seemingly strange behavior of the sun at the poles? What causes seasons? Find out in this lecture presented by astronomy professor Edward Murphy.

1. Passion for the Poles

March 9, 2015

What draws people to the poles again and again? What significance do these regions hold for the planet? Begin to answer these questions with Fen Montaigne, a journalist who has traveled extensively in the polar regions, as you delve into the awe-inspiring story of Ernest Shackleton's struggles in Antarctica, as well as Montaigne's own experiences. #Better Living

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Where to Watch Polar Explorations

Polar Explorations is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Polar Explorations on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon and Hoopla.