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Discovery: Beyond The Abyss: Antarctic subglacial lake exploration

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28/11/2011 GMT

Antarctic subglacial lake exploration

Beyond The Abyss

BBC World Service - Discovery, Beyond The Abyss, Antarctic subglacial lake explorationSearch BBC

Exploring Antarctica's subglacial lakes for lifeforms new to science.

British scientists have launched their plan to melt through three kilometres of Antarctic ice into subglacial Lake Ellsworth next year. Andrew Luck-Baker asks what they may discover.

One hundred years since humans first ventured to the South Pole, we are on the verge of a new era in Antarctic exploration.  

In Discovery, Andrew Luck-Baker talks to scientists who'll soon be entering the last untouched realms on the planet.  

They are poised to drill into ancient lakes trapped beneath thousands of metres of polar ice.   

British, Russian and United states scientists all have ambitious projects underway to do this.  

Among other quests, they will search for unique forms of life in these deep and hidden icy lakes.  

Their efforts might ultimately lead to finding life on other worlds.

Discovery: Beyond The Abyss

BBC World Service

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