Polar is a term used to describe the geographic regions located around the Earth’s North and South Poles. The word “polar” comes from the Greek word for “bear”, which is thought to be a reference to the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, which contain the stars Polaris (the North Star) and southern star Acrux, respectively. These constellations are visible in high northern latitudes, and their position relative to the celestial pole remains fixed throughout the night. In contrast, lower latitude stars appear to rotate around the celestial pole as the Earth turns on its axis.
The Arctic region surrounding the North Pole is characterized by cold temperatures, permanent ice cover, and limited sunlight during winter months. The Antarctic region surrounding the South Pole experiences similar conditions, but due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, it also has unique features such as penguins and seals.
Polar regions are some of the most extreme environments on Earth, and as such, they offer unique opportunities for scientific research. For example, because there is no landmass at either pole (just ice), scientists can study changes in global sea level by measuring how much ice melts each year. Additionally, because polar regions are among the last places on Earth to be affected by human activity, they provide valuable insights into how ecosystems will respond to future climate change.