NEW! National Geographic Polar Explorations Course on DVD or Online

National Geographic Polar Explorations Course       nationalgeographicexpeditions.com REQUEST A CATALOG     Enchanting and otherworldly in their beauty, the polar regions are some of the most isolated and least understood places on Earth. Through our newest course, Polar Explorations, travel to the wilds of Antarctica and the Arctic on an exquisite visual journey guided by five experts who reveal the science, culture, and history of these majestic and ever-evolving geographies. This 22-lesson course, offered in partnership with The Great Courses, is a travelogue, science class, and history lesson rolled into one comprehensive course. It is available on DVD, by download, or by online streaming. It features stunning footage shot during small-ship voyages with National Geographic Expeditions and provides insights into geology, astronomy, zoology, oceanography, history, culture, and photography.     While the polar regions have long captivated the public imagination, few people are familiar with their history or the incredible meteorological, geological, zoological, and other scientific systems underlying their astonishing ecosystems. Working with The Great Courses, we assembled a dream team of experts to give you a 360-degree view of the Arctic and Antarctica in 22 fascinating lectures. Pulitzer-Prize nominated journalist and National Geographic magazine contributing writer Fen Montaigne probes the history polar exploration and Edward Murphy, associate professor of Astronomy at the University of Virginia, delves into the regions’ unique relationship with the universe. Michael Wysession, associate professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, reveals the fascinating geology and geography of the poles andExplorer-in-Residence and marine conservationist Sylvia Earle explains the central importance of sea ice to virtually every living thing in polar waters. The course concludes with two lessons on polar photography presented by photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins, the founder and director of the onboard photography program for the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet. The course is illustrated with footage from National Geographic trips and scientific explorations, as well as custom-made animations and historical photos and film. Maps, charts, diagrams, and studio demonstrations are also employed throughout these lessons to enhance your comprehension. It gives you the scientific and cultural context necessary to understand their unique nature and irreplaceable value—not only to the people and wildlife that inhabit them, but to all humanity.  Whether you’ve always dreamed of a trip to these incredible ice-bound worlds or you’re simply curious about the wonders they hold, this course is the closest thing to actually journeying to the ends of the Earth.  Each unit is presented by a pair of photographers, exposing you to diverse perspectives on how to achieve captivating results. Taking great photos requires not only knowing how to use your camera, but also technical skill and preparation. As Michael Yamashita says, “the difference between a good photograph and a great photograph is often a matter of inches or milliseconds.” After completing this course, you will possess a refined set of tools and insights you can use to drastically improve your photography, whether you’re using an expensive camera or the camera on your phone. Watch sample videos BUY NOW     COURSE CURRICULUM 22 lectures / 30 minutes per lecture     1. A Passion for the Poles   What draws people to the poles again and again? What significance do these regions hold for the planet? Begin to answer these questions with Fen Montaigne, a journalist who has traveled extensively in the polar regions, as you delve into the awe-inspiring story of Ernest Shackleton’s struggles in Antarctica, as well as Montaigne’s own experiences. 2. Seasons at the Poles   In the latitudes where most of us live, it’s easy to take the sun and its relationship with the Earth for granted. For us, the sun comes up and goes down reliably every day, yet the poles experience six months each of continuous night and constant day. What causes the seemingly strange behavior of the sun at the poles? What causes seasons? Find out in this lecture presented by astronomy professor Edward Murphy. 3. Connections between the Poles   The North and South Poles share a history that is unique and unlike any other place on Earth. Join Professor Michael Wysession as he lays the groundwork for understanding the polar regions with a discussion of their geology—dominated by ice, ocean, climate, and even nearby outer space—as well as their similarities and differences. 4. The Saga of Arctic Exploration   Over the centuries, hundreds of people have perished trying to find their way through the Northwest Passage and to the North Pole, while hundreds more have spent months or years trapped on ships in Arctic sea ice. Discover how explorers such as Henry Hudson, Sir John Franklin, and Roald Amundsen opened up this polar region to the world. 5. The Icy Heart of Polar Seas   Virtually every living thing in polar waters—from single-celled phytoplankton to whales—has evolved in a world dominated by sea ice. Study how Arctic and Antarctic marine ecosystems work, and consider what happens to a sea ice-dependent marine ecosystem when the sea ice begins to disappear. 6. Geology of the Arctic Circle   Zoom in for a closer look at the unique geologic characteristics of the North Pole and surrounding Arctic Circle. First, take a brief geologic tour of the Arctic regions, then examine how the ocean, atmosphere, and surface geology all interact, and how this region has changed geologically over time.              7. Science and Spirits of the Arctic Sky   Constellations were vital to the early Inuits’ survival, as they used the daily, monthly, and annual motions of the stars for timekeeping, navigation, and tracking the seasons. Explore this tradition and how it differs from Western astronomy, then investigate what causes the breathtaking aurora borealis.  8. Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic   Although fewer than a half-million in number, Arctic dwellers are comprised of approximately 40 different ethnic groups. Learn how the Nenets of Russia, the Inuit of North America, and other communities survive, and how industrialization and other factors are altering traditional ways of life.  9. Greenland and Arctic Islands   Delve into the past, present, and future of three of the most notable islands in the Arctic and sub-Arctic: Iceland, one of the world’s most geologically active areas; Greenland, which dwarfs all other Arctic islands in size; and the Svalbard archipelago, home to the Global Seed Vault, a seed bank designed to preserve a wide variety of plant species in case of global crisis. 10. Terrestrial Mammals in the Changing Arctic   Now that Arctic sea ice is retreating, what will become of the polar bear? Will it survive and, if so, in what numbers? Learn how changes to the ecosystem are affecting the polar bears and the other remarkable animals that call the Arctic home, from the lemming to the Arctic fox. 11. Seabirds of the Arctic and Antarctic   Discover the astonishing array of avian life—primarily consisting of seabirds— that live in, breed in, and migrate to the planet’s polar regions, including the albatross, the skua, the giant petrel, and the extraordinary Arctic tern, which carries out the longest annual migration of any living thing.  12. Marine Mammals, from Whales to Walruses   The waters of the Arctic and Antarctica teem with a remarkable number of marine mammals. Get an overview of the mammalian wildlife that inhabits or migrates to polar waters, including white beluga whales, leopard seals, crabeater seals, and walruses. Examine the sophisticated social structure of orcas, also known as killer whales, and why it makes them such effective predators.             13. The Race for the South Pole   Meet some of the towering figures of Antarctica’s “heroic era,” explorers and scientists in the early 20th century who vastly expanded our knowledge of the southernmost continent. Learn what drove these adventurers despite extreme hardship, and witness the treacherous race to the South Pole between Norwegian Roald Amundsen and Brit Robert Falcon Scott. 14. Geological Features of Antarctica   The ice in Antarctica may be more than a mile thick and millions of years old, but at times in its history the continent has been covered with jungles. Investigate the unusual geologic processes occurring in Antarctica and discover what features may be buried under all that ice. 15. Antarctica’s Window on the Universe   Above Antarctica is a cap of stars and constellations hidden from view in the Northern Hemisphere and containing some of the most beautiful sights in the night sky. Survey the region’s astronomical highlights and learn why, at the South Pole itself, astronomers and other scientists enjoy research conditions unrivaled anywhere else on Earth. 16. Diving under Polar Ice   How do humans get beneath the surface of Arctic ice or the Antarctic Ocean? Join marine conservationist Sylvia Earle, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, as she explains the technologies scientists use to dive safely beneath the sea ice in an effort to expand our knowledge of marine ecosystems at both poles. 17. Resource Development in Polar Seas   Humans are extracting krill and other marine life at unprecedented levels. Burning fossil fuels is causing ocean acidification. What will happen if we change the temperature or chemistry of the ocean? Consider such questions in this lecture on the delicate ecosystems of Earth’s oceans and the consequences of treating oceanic wildlife as commodities. 18. South Georgia and Macquarie   Among the least inhabited places on Earth, the sub-Antarctic islands feature a spectacular array of wildlife despite a history of wanton exploitation beginning in the 18th century. Learn how seal, whale, and penguin populations were devastated on and around two of the sub-Antarctic’s most significant islands— South Georgia and Macquarie—and how each population has largely recovered.             19. Living among the Penguins   Legendary Antarctic adventurer Apsley Cherry-Garrard said “all the world loves a penguin” and in this lecture, you’ll understand why. Get acquainted with Adélie, emperor, and chinstrap penguins by exploring how each evolved into the fat, flightless swimmer it is today. Explore the history of their interaction with humans and their remarkable cycles of reproduction and survival. 20. Antarctica—A Continent for Science   Survey the discoveries made and hardships suffered during centuries of scientific exploration in Antarctica, including a research expedition that sought viable emperor penguin eggs in an attempt to unlock an evolutionary mystery. See how Antarctic research helped create the modern sciences of oceanography, climatology, and glaciology, and is still driving scientific progress. 21. Basics of Polar Photography   Picture being in the Arctic when a polar bear approaches your ship. What kind of camera should you use to capture the moment? What settings should you choose? Here, National Geographic photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins explains how to navigate the unique challenges of polar photography, from dealing with a “white world” to shooting atop a moving platform. 22. Photographing Polar Landscapes   Photography is a blend of the creative and the technical and, in this lecture, you’ll focus on the creative side of the equation. Learn how to use lighting, composition, and moment to your advantage in the Arctic and Antarctica through techniques such as changing perspective, incorporating people into your shots, and using negative space.     BUY NOW           Photography Courses on DVD or Online   In our new series of photography courses available on DVD, by download, or by online streaming, fine-tune your photography techniques with National Geographic Masters of Photography, a 24-lesson course led by 12 photographers, or build your skills through Fundamentals of Photography and The Art of Travel Photography, taught by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. Save 70% when you order by March 31, 2015.   Watch sample videos ›› Buy now ››     Polar Trips   Kayak among penguin-peppered icebergs in Antarctica, hike in the footsteps of Shackleton in South Georgia, spot polar bears in Arctic Svalbard, or encounter the spectacular landscapes of the north on voyages to Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian High Arctic.   See all National Geographic Polar Expeditions ››   Expeditions Moments   Check out our online photo gallery to see some fun and inspiring images taken by travelers on our polar expeditions.   View Images ››     Photography Workshops   Our workshops offer in-depth, hands-on instruction from a National Geographic photographer and a professional instructor, and are based in some of the world’s most photogenic cities and landscapes. Held over a long weekend or up to a week, each workshop incorporates talks, edit-and-critique sessions, and photo shoots in the field.   See all photography workshops ››