A day in the life of an Antarctic scientist
LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Alex Gaffikin was just 22 when she boarded a ship destined for the Halley research station on the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica. It was to be her home for the next two and a half years.
"In the depths of winter waking up was a struggle. With 24 hours of darkness my body clock had gone haywire and I'd usually wake up feeling quite lethargic," she said.
As part of an experiment, she sat in front of a bright light for half an hour every morning which was designed to affect her melatonin levels and make her feel more awake.
Next up, a shower, which Gaffikin soon learned was far from a luxury.
"In the depths of winter waking up was a struggle. With 24 hours of darkness my body clock had gone haywire and I'd usually wake up feeling quite lethargic," she said.
As part of an experiment, she sat in front of a bright light for half an hour every morning which was designed to affect her melatonin levels and make her feel more awake.
Next up, a shower, which Gaffikin soon learned was far from a luxury.