What's it really like at the North Pole?

What is it really like at the North Pole?

The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is defined as the point in the Northern Hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface. The North Pole is the northernmost point on the Earth, lying diametrically opposite the South Pole.

Two satellites in the Joint Polar Satellite System constellation, NOAA-20 and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) circle the Earth from pole-to-pole 14 times each day as the planet rotates on its axis. The two satellites are separated by 50 minutes, which allows researchers to see ice moving in the Arctic using looped imagery.

Unlike Antarctica, there’s no land at the North Pole. Instead, it’s all ice that’s floating on top of the Arctic Ocean. Over the past four decades, scientists have seen a steep decline in both the amount and thickness of Arctic sea ice during the summer and winter months.