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February 18, 2014

Palmer Station, smallest of three U.S. Antarctic stations

Palmer Station is the smallest of the United States' three Antarctic research stations, with a peak population of 44. Because open water prevails there much of the year, wildlife is prolific, and research focuses on biology and the marine ecosystem.

The buildings pictured from left to right are: the Terra Lab; the garage, warehouse, recreation (GWR) building, which also houses the power plant, station store, medical clinic and some dormitory rooms; the biology lab (BioLab), which contains the cafeteria and kitchen, offices, laboratories, aquarium and some dormitory rooms; and the boathouse.

The National Science Foundation runs the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). In addition to maintaining three U.S. research stations on the continent, USAP supports research projects in an array of scientific disciplines including, for example, aeronomy and astrophysics, biology and medicine, geology and geophysics, glaciology, and ocean and climate systems. Outreach such as the Antarctic Artists and Writers program and education programs are also supported. For more information about USAP, visit the program's website Here. [Note: Please see special restrictions regarding use of this image, below.] (Date of image: Dec. 4, 2011)

Credit: Elisabeth Soued

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