Science Utah: Antarctica Unearthed

Journey to the most alien landscape on Earth with National Geographic Explorer Ariel Waldman, as she explores Antarctica’s extreme, Mars-like habitats and the mysterious ecosystems that host the smallest animals on the planet. Get a first look at this upcoming nature docu-series "Life Unearthed with Ariel Waldman", followed by a Q&A with the director, Ariel Waldman. This is an exclusive sneak peek before the series premieres on PBS in April 2026.

More about the series: If you think you know Antarctica as a barren and lifeless place, except for a few penguins, think again. Dive into "Antarctica Unearthed", where National Geographic Explorer Ariel Waldman takes you on a breathtaking journey to the most extreme and alien landscape on Earth—the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. Once called “the valley of the dead” by early explorers, this stunning documentary peels back the icy layers of the planet's harshest ecosystem, revealing the ingenious survival tactics of its tiny, elusive animal inhabitants. The documentary follows Ariel’s two-month expedition into the continent's most remote areas—so remote that she must attempt to film it, and its microscopic wildlife, entirely by herself. By combining majestic aerial views and groundbreaking microscopic imagery, the series highlights the paradox of Antarctica as a frozen desert teeming with life, a true testament to the tenacity of nature.

ARIEL WALDMAN is an explorer and filmmaker. Her expeditions take her from tallgrass prairies and deep-sea canyons to the icy realms of Antarctica. In these remarkable places, she films otherworldly life beneath the surface, including the extraordinary lives of microscopic animals. Her forthcoming nature docu-series, Unearthed, will premiere on PBS stations nationwide in 2026.
She is the founder of Order of Magnitude Films, a production company on a bold mission to push the boundaries of science and nature documentaries by capturing life at all scales. Ariel is also a National Geographic Explorer, TED speaker, and author. She has served as an advisor to NASA on astrobiology, human spaceflight, and advanced technologies. She lives in San Francisco and enjoys collaborating with researchers to illuminate the unseen corners of our world.

https://arielwaldman.com

https://instagram.com/arielwaldman

This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Please reserve only the number of tickets you will use.

About Science Utah:

The Science Utah Lecture Series is dedicated to bringing the latest scientific discoveries and discussions to the public, for free, by offering engaging lectures led by Utah-based scientists and researchers working in various fields.

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