Ny-Ålesund

"Science village" Ny-Ålesund from the air. Conwaybreen (centre) and Kongsbreen (far right) entering Kongsfjorden in the background (JA).

Many old houses were refurbished and are now used to house resident and visiting scientists, between 25 and 120, depending on the season (JA).

A 20 metre radio telescope is used in Very Long Baseline Interferometry. It is in a 20 km exclusion zone for devices transmitting between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz (e.g. bluetooth, WLAN; JA).

Ny-Ålesund is the world's northernmost functional public settlement. Residents enjoy the midnight sun on a calm day in July 2009. Note Nordpol Hotel in the background (JA).

Bust of Roald Amundsen, famous Norwegian explorer, in the centre of Ny-Ålesund (JA).

Airship mast from whence Andrée, Nobile and Amundsen started their journeys to the North Pole in the early years of the 20th Century. (JA).

Tourist boats bring day visitors during the summer months. Some of the larger ships cannot dock, and passengers need to disembark via shuttle boats (JA).

The potential presence of polar bears requires appropriate protective measures when leaving the settlement (JA).

Cosmetically restored steam locomotive and coal wagons on a remnant of the world’s most northerly railway system, which once served the coal mines (JA).

Coal-mining closed down following a major disaster in 1962, abandoned machinery remains close to the settlement (JA).

Charm of rusty old machinery, remnants of bygone days (JA).

Very slowly plants of the arctic tundra once again settle on tips of the abandonned coal mine (JA).

Spectacular altocumulus lenticularis clouds west of Ny-Ålesund (JA).

Midsummer night at Ny-Ålesund (JA).

Two of the Tre Kroner (Three Crowns) as seen from Ny-Ålesund (JA).

Dronningfjella (highest peak), faulted Carboniferous strata in the north face of Garwoodtoppen and calving front of Kronebreen (JA).

Midnight sun (JA).

Late night biking (JA).

Lonely bird, iceberg and Kapp Mitra (JA).

Stormy sky above Kongsfjorden (JA).