These researchers spent a winter trapped in Arctic ice to capture key climate data

These researchers spent a winter trapped in Arctic ice to capture key climate data

The Polarstern on 27 December 2019, nearly 3 months after it was frozen into Arctic pack ice. (Lukas Piotrowski)

Ice-locked expedition returns crucial data Last October, Germany’s biggest research vessel, Polarstern, got frozen in the Arctic ice — on purpose. The ambitious one-year mission would give a rotating crew of some 300 scientists from 17 countries an unprecedented view of the polar climate and its fragile ecosystems. The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc with travel to and from the ship, forcing it to break out of the ice for an unforeseen three-week break to transfer scientists. But the rewards have been rich — researchers are bringing back daring tales, troves of data and stunning photographs. Nature | 10 min read