Jun 14th, 2008 · A mini-drama unfolded millions of miles away this week near the North Pole of Mars when NASA's robotic lander Phoenix had trouble with a shovel-full of dirt. NPR's science correspondent David Kestenbaum wonders if there is life among the dirt on Mars.
Dec 6th, 2007 · A Swedish engineering firm still believes in Santa Claus. But it says the North Pole is all wrong for him. To finish his job in time for Christmas morning, the firm calculated that Santa's base should be in Kyrgyzstan. It took into account the main population centers and the Earth's rotation.
Sep 24th, 2007 · Every spring there's a brief window for explorers and scientists to try to reach the North Pole. But that window is growing smaller due to a warmer climate.
Sep 21st, 2007 · Final data on the shrinking North Pole ice cap confirms that the amount of ice there is the lowest yet recorded, with even less ice than had been reported in August.
Aug 11th, 2007 · There's a struggle under way between Canada, Russia and three other nations to claim resources on the sea bed under the North Pole. Other nations claiming a vested interest in the issue are the U.S., Norway and Denmark.
Jul 21st, 2007 · British explorer Lewis Gordon Pugh is the first person to take a swim in the icy waters of the geographic North Pole. Pugh took the plunge last weekend to raise awareness about global warming.
May 1st, 2007 · An invisible line running through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, marks the prime meridian. This line, extending from the North Pole to the South Pole, will be a guide to NPR's yearlong Climate Connections series.
Dec 21st, 2006 · Far from the North Pole, Saint Nicholas' hometown in Turkey is a sun-drenched farming community lined with palm trees and orange groves, where the image of the beloved bishop is being replaced by that of the secular Santa.