The International Polar Year (or IPY) was a collaborative, international effort researching the polar regions. Karl Weyprecht, an Austro-Hungarian navy officer, motivated the endeavor, but died before it first occurred in 1882-1883. Fifty years later (1932-1933) a second IPY occurred. The International Geophysical Year was inspired by the IPY and occurred seventy-five years after the first IPY (1957-58).

The next International Polar Year will happen in 2007-2008. It is being sponsored by the International Council for Science (ICSU) and, it is anticipated by 2007, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The chair of the International Planning Group established within the ICSU for this event is chaired by Professor Chris Rapley and Dr. Robin Bell.

External links

• Inernational Polar Year site (http://www.ipy.org/)