Antarctic scientists' midwinter chill-out

Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey marked the shortest day of the year in the southern hemisphere yesterday with a midwinter feast, a message from royalty and their traditional viewing of John Carpenter's 1982 ice station horror, The Thing.

- Ben Blackmore

The British Antarctic Survey is the UK's national polar research institute, with four research stations operating throughout the year in the Antarctic and one during the summer. While the UK celebrates the longest day, the researchers experience 24 hours of darkness across the continent.