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 brave British explorer, a talented writer, and a scientist who studies Earth's climate. She is famous for her amazing journeys to the coldest places on our planet.
Contents
Early Life and Becoming a Scientist
Felicity Aston grew up in Kent, England. She went to Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls. Later, she studied at University College London and the University of Reading. She earned degrees in science and applied meteorology, which is the study of weather.
From 2000 to 2003, Felicity worked as a lead weather scientist. She was based at the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. This station is on Adelaide Island, near the Antarctic Peninsula. Her job was to watch the climate and the ozone layer. She lived there for three summers and two winters without leaving Antarctica. This was a normal part of working for the British Antarctic Survey back then.
Amazing Expeditions and Discoveries
Felicity Aston has led many exciting expeditions. She loves exploring cold and icy places.
Racing Across Arctic Canada
In 2005, Felicity joined a race called the Polar Challenge. This race went across Northern Canada to the North Magnetic Pole. Her team was the first all-female group to finish this tough race. They came in 6th place out of 16 teams.
Crossing the Greenland Ice Sheet
In 2006, Felicity led another important journey. She guided the first all-female British team to cross the huge Greenland ice sheet.
Skiing to the South Pole
In 2009, Felicity organized a special trip called the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition. Seven women from six different Commonwealth countries joined her. They skied all the way to the South Pole. This expedition celebrated the 60th birthday of the Commonwealth. Felicity wrote a book about this adventure called Call of the White: Taking the world to the South Pole.
Solo Journey Across Antarctica
In 2012, Felicity made history. She became the first person to ski alone across the entire Antarctic land-mass. She used only her own strength to pull her gear. She was also the first woman to cross Antarctica by herself. Her journey started on November 25, 2011, at the Leverett Glacier. It lasted 59 days, covering 1,084 miles (1,744 kilometers). She received supplies only twice. Felicity said that her journey showed her how strong people can be. She believes we are all more capable than we think.
North Pole Expedition
In 2018, Felicity led another all-women team. This time, it was a EuroArabian expedition to the North Pole. The team included Asma Al Thani, who became the first person from Qatar to ski there. This trip helped scientists learn more about how people's minds work in very difficult conditions.
Other Adventures
Felicity has also walked across the frozen surface of Lake Baikal. This lake in Russia is the world's deepest and oldest. She also completed the Marathon des Sables, a very long and difficult race across a desert.
Researching Arctic Sea Ice
From 2020 to 2024, Felicity led a project called B.I.G (Before It's Gone). This was an all-female expedition focused on studying Arctic sea ice. The four-year project involved ski trips to different places. These included Drangajökull in Iceland, Svalbard, and Nunavut in Canada. In each place, her team skied across the land and collected samples of snow and ice. These samples were then checked for tiny bits of plastic (microplastics), black carbon, and heavy metals.
Awards and Recognition
Felicity Aston is an ambassador for two important groups. She supports the British Antarctic Monument Trust and the Equaladventure charity. Canterbury Christ Church University gave her an honorary doctorate for her amazing exploration work. She is also a member of the Royal Geographical Society and The Explorers Club.
In 2016, she helped present a TV show about the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. A photo of her by Anita Corbin was part of the 100 First Women exhibition in Exeter.
Felicity was given the title Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). She also received the Polar Medal in 2015. These awards were for her important work in exploring the polar regions.
Personal Life
Felicity Aston now lives in Iceland. She is married and has a son. She also farms eiderdown from wild eider ducks on an island in the Arctic Westfjords.
See also
In Spanish: Felicity Aston para niños
