Minor Participants in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (1957 – 1958)

The International Geophysical Year (IGY) was an unprecedented international scientific undertaking that ran from July 1957 to December 1958. Political agendas were, on the surface, put aside in the interest of science; areas of study included sunspots, aurora/airglow, cosmic rays, magnetism, glaciology, meteorology, seismology and gravity. (Fraser, 1957) Observation stations were set up around the world, and Antarctica became a significant location, offering sites at very high southern latitudes (Lewis, 1965). Several countries set up observation stations on the Antarctic continent and surrounding islands. The major players, in terms of numbers of bases and personnel, in the Antarctic activities of the IGY were the United States, the Soviet Union, Argentina and the United Kingdom (Sullivan, 1961). Given the political pressures between the super-powers during that era of the 'cold war', it is even more significant that these countries became partners in the establishment and development of Antarctic science and occupation. There were also several minor players in Antarctica during the IGY. These countries had neither the numerous bases nor the high numbers of personnel on the ice, but nonetheless contributed in some way to the success of the event. (Sullivan, 1959) This review will look at the involvement of some of these •minor participants', their motivations for joining in, their short and long term outcomes, the perceived success of their involvement and how all the participants worked together to achieve the ambitious goals of the IGY in Antarctica. The International Geophysical Year (IGY) was an unprecedented international scientific undertaking that ran from July 1957 to December 1958. Political agendas were, on the surface, put aside in the interest of science; areas of study included sunspots, aurora/airglow, cosmic rays, magnetism, glaciology, meteorology, seismology and gravity. (Fraser, 1957) Observation stations were set up around the world, and Antarctica became a significant location, offering sites at very high southern latitudes (Lewis, 1965). Several countries set up observation stations on the Antarctic continent and surrounding islands. The major players, in terms of numbers of bases and personnel, in the Antarctic activities of the IGY were the United States, the Soviet Union, Argentina and the United Kingdom (Sullivan, 1961). Given the political pressures between the super-powers during that era of the 'cold war', it is even more significant that these countries became partners in the establishment and development of Antarctic science and occupation. There were also several minor players in Antarctica during the IGY. These countries had neither the numerous bases nor the high numbers of personnel on the ice, but nonetheless contributed in some way to the success of the event. (Sullivan, 1959) This review will look at the involvement of some of these •minor participants', their motivations for joining in, their short and long term outcomes, the perceived success of their involvement and how all the participants worked together to achieve the ambitious goals of the IGY in Antarctica