The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the largest Arctic expedition in history, according to a report from AFP. The 390-day MOSAiC expedition by the ice breaker Polarstern began in September 2019. The aim is to take the closest look ever at the Arctic as the epicenter of global warming. Also read | Arctic Ocean may be ice-free for part of year by 2044, finds studyIt will study the atmosphere, ocean, and ice to understand how climate change affects the region and the entire world. Also read | India’s Vishnu Nandan among 300 researchers to join largest ever Arctic expeditionThe Polarstern was just 156 kilometres from the North Pole at the end of February.

Source: The Hindu June 10, 2020 09:27 UTC