Why in the world would anyone spend five weeks trekking into the dark Antarctic winter to bring back a few penguin eggs? Find out, and learn just how harsh the journey was for this three-person team.

Ponting is one of the best photographers to have documented Antarctica. He was also a fine travel writer. Read an excerpt from his account of traveling with Robert Falcon Scott on his last expedition.

Weddell seals spend about 90% of their time submerged, making them a tricky animal to study. Before Davis developed a special camera, scientists could only speculate about the seals' lives below the ice.

During the winter, the sea ice off Antarctica covers an area so big that it's actually the largest continuous habitat on Earth. The algae that live there produce 25 percent of all oxygen on the planet.

Unlike human visitors, Antarctica's plants and animals don't require high-tech gear. How have these organisms adapted to thrive—not just survive—in such an extreme environment?

Ice floes, katabatic winds, and subzero temperatures—welcome to life in Antarctica. What features would your ideal creature have to thrive in this extreme habitat?

Antarctica's water is so clear that organisms have problems finding food. "It's like parents having to tell their young, 'We're not going to be able to feed you until Christmas, so hold your breath,'" says Donal Manahan.