Most people will have different definitions of what they consider as cold. However, most people will also agree that Antarctica is one of the coldest places on Earth whether they've been there or not. But how cold is cold? Recently released satellite measurements of the area indicated a temperature of -135.3 degrees Fahrenheit (-93 degrees Celcius). The measurements were taken on July 31 by a NASA satellite.
The Landsat 8 satellite taking the measurements used its onboard MODIS sensors to take the readings. MODIS stands for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, an instrument used for mapping surface temperatures around the world. The U.S. Geological Survey and NASA launched the satellite during the early part of the year.
-135.3 degrees indeed seems like a bone chilling measurement. However, this is not the coldest reading taken of Antarctic temperatures. Back in Aug. 2010, an even colder reading of -135.8 degrees Fahrenheit (-93.2 degrees Celcius) was recorded.
"I've never been in conditions that cold, and I hope I never am," National Snow and Ice Data Center scientist Ted Scambos said. "I am told that every breath is painful and you have to be extremely careful not to freeze part of your throat or lungs when inhaling."
"By causing the cold air to be stationary for extended periods, while continuing to radiate more heat away into space, you get the absolute lowest temperatures we're able to find."
The temperatures were noted when researchers involved in the project were analyzing data on global surface temperatures from the past 32 years. Prior to this, the record low in terms of Antarctic Temperatures was -128.6 degrees, which was taken at the Russian run Vostok Research Station. The station is located in East Antarctica. Scambos says, "We had a suspicion this Antarctic ridge was likely to be extremely cold, and colder than Vostok because it's higher up the hill."
The temperatures above are said to be similar to a summer day at the Martian poles. Winter in Antarctica runs from June to August and the entire continent receives very little light.
These record setting temperatures are a testament to the extreme range of temperatures and conditions found on planet Earth. However, scientists are certain that there are still temperature conditions that are yet to be recorded in the future.
