Field Guide to the Universe

Mission Complete 5/10/00

From April 22-May 15, 2000, an international team of four women, nine men and 20 Canadian Inuit dogs began a three-week expedition to the North Magnetic Pole. The team, led by arctic explorer Paul Schurke, traveled more than 250 miles on skis and dogsleds from the Inuit village of Polaris (on Little Cornwallis Island) to the North Magnetic Pole, now located near Ellef Ringnes Island. Indianapolis resident Jeff Ward was the team's navigator. 

The goal of this expedition was to navigate to the North Magnetic Pole by traditional means using a sextant and an astrocompass. To accomplish this goal, the team traveled over vast stretches of Arctic Ocean ice, braving temperatures as low as -30°F, whiteouts and other treacherous conditions.

In addition, the expedition worked in conjunction with the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Labs of Hanover, New Hampshire, to study the mechanism of autopurification of hummocked sea ice.

With the expedition now complete, click for mission highlights, profiles and activities.