Greece will send scientists to Antarctica for the first time, who will be part of the next Bulgarian expedition and will travel aboard the research vessel “Saints Cyril and Methodius,” said in an interview with Bulgarian news agency BTA the president of the non-profit organisation Hellenic Polar Zones Society, Rear Admiral (ret.) of the Navy Symeon Konstantinidis, with experience in oceanography and meteorology.
Recently he participated in the International Polar Conference for cooperation between the Balkan countries in the polar regions under the European programmes EUPolarNet-2 and POLARIN, held in Aheloy (on the Black Sea).
“This is a big step for us towards the South Pole, as it is the first time Greece will send its own scientists,” said Konstantinidis.
He added that their plans also include the construction of a weather station on the frozen continent, which, however, will probably take place next year.
One of the scientists who will travel to Antarctica with the ship this year is a professor from the University of Athens and is involved in astrophysics. He will make astronomical observations and measurements, Konstantinidis explained.
The second Greek scientist is a professor at the Technical University of Crete, who will conduct psychological tests for people living in isolated places to check if they suffer from depression.
Another experiment will be the use of specially created videos aimed at helping people in isolated environments feel better. During her stay, the researcher will also use a technique to measure the magnetism that people emit while under different emotions.
Konstantinidis added that during the conference he learned how much Bulgaria achieved and that it is many steps ahead in Antarctic science.
“We would like to follow Bulgaria’s steps and learn from the country’s experience,” the president of the Hellenic Polar Zones Society said.
Source: BTA
