Felicity Aston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Felicity Aston
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| Born | |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University College London (BSc) University of Reading (MSc) |
| Awards | Member of the Order of the British Empire (2015) Polar medal (2015) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Climatology |
Felicity Ann Dawn Aston is a British explorer, author, and climate scientist. She is famous for her incredible journeys to the coldest places on Earth. She has skied across Antarctica and the Arctic, often leading all-female teams. Felicity also studies how our planet's climate is changing.
Contents
Felicity Aston: An Amazing Explorer
Early Life and Becoming a Scientist
Felicity Aston grew up in Kent, England. She attended Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls. Later, she went to University College London and University of Reading. There, she studied meteorology, which is the science of weather and climate.
From 2000 to 2003, Felicity worked as a senior meteorologist. She was based at the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. This station is on Adelaide Island. Her job was to study the climate and the ozone layer. She spent three summers and two winters living there without leaving Antarctica. This showed her dedication to science and exploration.
Incredible Journeys and Expeditions
Felicity Aston has completed many challenging expeditions. She loves exploring the world's polar regions.
Racing Across the Arctic
In 2005, Felicity joined a tough race called the Polar Challenge. This race crossed Arctic Canada. Teams raced to the North Magnetic Pole. Felicity was part of the first all-female team to finish this race. They placed 6th out of 16 teams.
The next year, in 2006, Felicity led another all-female British team. They crossed the huge ice sheet of Greenland.
In 2009, she organized a special trip called the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition. Seven women from six different Commonwealth countries took part. They skied all the way to the South Pole. This journey celebrated 60 years of the Commonwealth group of nations. Felicity wrote a book about this adventure. It is called Call of the White: Taking the world to the South Pole.
First Woman to Ski Solo Across Antarctica
One of Felicity's biggest achievements happened in 2012. She became the first person to ski alone across the entire land-mass of Antarctica. She did this using only her own strength. She was also the first woman to cross Antarctica alone.
Her amazing journey started on November 25, 2011. She began at the Leverett Glacier. For 59 days, she skied a distance of 1,084 miles (1,744 kilometers). She only received two supply drops along the way. Felicity later shared how this journey changed her. She said, "The fact that I had crossed Antarctica, despite the tears and the fear and the alone-ness, deepened my belief that we are each far more capable than we give ourselves credit for. Our bodies are stronger and our minds more resilient than we could ever imagine."
In 2018, Felicity led another all-women team to the North Pole. This team included women from Europe and Arab countries. One member, Asma Al Thani, was the first person from Qatar to ski there. This expedition also helped scientists study how people's minds handle extreme conditions.
Felicity has also walked across the frozen surface of Lake Baikal. This is the world's deepest and oldest lake. She also completed the Marathon des Sables, a very long desert race.
Researching Arctic Sea Ice
From 2020 to 2024, Felicity led the B.I.G (Before It's Gone) expedition. This was an all-female project focused on researching Arctic sea ice.
This four-year project involved ski trips to different Arctic locations. These included Drangajökull in Iceland, Svalbard, and Nunavut in Canada. During these trips, her team skied across the ice. They collected samples of snow and ice from the surface. These samples were then studied to find tiny pieces of plastic, soot, and heavy metals. This research helps us understand pollution in the Arctic.
Awards and Recognition
Felicity Aston is an ambassador for important causes. She supports the British Antarctic Monument Trust. She also works with the Equaladventure charity. This charity helps people with disabilities enjoy outdoor adventures.
Canterbury Christ Church University gave her a special award called an honorary doctorate. This was to recognize her amazing achievements in exploration. She is also a member of the Royal Geographical Society and The Explorers Club. These are important groups for explorers and geographers.
In 2016, Felicity helped present a TV show. It was about the history of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Her picture was also part of a special art exhibit. It was called 100 First Women Portraits.
For her work in polar exploration, Felicity received two major honors in 2015. She was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). She also received the Polar Medal. These awards recognize her great service and bravery.
Life in Iceland
Today, Felicity Aston lives in Iceland. She lives on an island in the Arctic Westfjords. There, she raises wild eider ducks for their soft feathers, called eiderdown. She is married and has a son.
See also
In Spanish: Felicity Aston para niños
