Melting ice reveals remains of Antarctic researcher who vanished 66 years ago
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Dennis Bell Antarctica Mystery Solved: Remains Found After 66 Years on Glacier – Who Is He And What Was He Doing There?
Dennis ‘Tink’ Bell disappeared in 1959 while on field duty at King George Island. Despite extensive searches in the aftermath, no trace of him was ever found – until now. The find was made by a Polish research team after melting ice revealed bones and personal effects, bringing closure to a mystery that has endured for generations. DNA analysis carried out at King’s College London confirmed the remains were Bell’s. The remains were transported aboard the BAS vessel Sir David Attenborough, then flown to London under the care of His Majesty’s Coroner for the British Antarctic Territory. Bell’s brother David, now 86 and living in Australia, described the discovery as both shocking and remarkable.
Bell, aged 25 at the time of his disappearance, was working for the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS), the forerunner of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), when he vanished while on field duty at King George Island. Despite extensive searches in the aftermath, no trace of him was ever found – until now.
Who Was Dennis ‘Tink’ Bell and What Happened to Him?
In the harsh Antarctic winter of 1959, Bell was conducting geological survey work when he fell through a crevasse while urging sled dogs forward. His colleague, Jeff Stokes, attempted to rescue him, but Bell had tied the rope to his belt instead of securing it around his body. When the rope snapped, he fell further into the crevasse and disappeared from sight. Search operations were carried out, but the extreme conditions meant recovery was impossible, according to the British Antarctic Survey.
Discovery Amid Climate Change and Glacial Retreat
In January 2025, researchers from the Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station found human remains among loose rocks exposed by the retreating Ecology Glacier. Alongside the bones were more than 200 personal items, including ski poles, a radio, a Swedish Mora knife, an inscribed wristwatch and an ebonite pipe stem. These artefacts offered a glimpse into Bell’s life and work on the ice.
DNA analysis carried out at King’s College London confirmed the remains were Bell’s. The results showed that it was over a billion times more likely than not that the remains were related to samples provided by Bell’s brother David and sister Valerie.
The remains were transported aboard the BAS vessel Sir David Attenborough, then flown to London under the care of His Majesty’s Coroner for the British Antarctic Territory. The Royal Air Force provided logistical support for the operation.
A photo of the Marmolada glacier, the largest in the Dolomites mountain range.
Closure for the Family and Recognition of a Legacy
David Bell, now 86 and living in Australia, described the discovery as both shocking and remarkable. ‘He’s come home,’ he said to the BAS team, reflecting on the decades his family spent without answers. He added that their mother had never recovered from the loss of her son.
Professor Dame Jane Francis, director of BAS, called the find ‘both a poignant and profound moment’ for the polar science community. She praised Bell’s contribution to early Antarctic exploration, highlighting the dedication and risks involved in such work.
In recognition of his service, a location on King George Island was named Bell Point in 1960. This remains a lasting tribute to his role in British Antarctic history.
The discovery of Bell’s remains after 66 years closes a chapter in the history of British polar research. Found as a result of climate-driven glacial retreat, his story serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by early explorers and the lasting human connections to the continent. Bell’s name now lives on both in the maps of Antarctica and in the memories of those who followed in his footsteps.
Melting ice reveals remains of Antarctic researcher who vanished 66 years ago
Dennis Bell, then 25, vanished into the ice on July 26, 1959 while climbing the Ecology glacier on King George Island. He survived the initial fall – estimated to have been 100 feet – but an attempt to rescue him failed. Polish team carried out an extensive archaeological survey over five days in February, recovering bone fragments and man-made artifacts. DNA samples were matched with Bell’s living siblings David Bell and Valerie Kelly, who were surprised by the discovery.“This discovery brings closure to a decades-long mystery and reminds us of the human stories embedded in the history of Antarctic science,” said British Antarctic Survey director Dame Jane Francis, who added that it was “poignant and profound moment.’’ ‘Tink’ joined the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS) – the predecessor of the BAS – as a meteorologist in 1958, seeking more adventure after a career with the Royal Air Force. “Dennis was one of the many brave FIDS personnel who contributed to the early science and exploration of Antarctica, under extraordinarily harsh conditions,’ said the BAS.
Dennis Bell, then 25, vanished into the ice on July 26, 1959 while climbing the Ecology glacier on King George Island, one of the South Shetland Islands that lie north of the Antarctic Peninsula. He survived the initial fall – estimated to have been 100 feet – but an attempt to rescue him failed, and he wasn’t seen again.
In January, a team from the Polish base on King George Island found his remains and hundreds of personal items among rocks uncovered as the glacier has retreated, the BAS said.
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The Polish team carried out an extensive archaeological survey over five days in February, recovering bone fragments and man-made artifacts – including a watch with an engraved inscription, a Swedish knife, radio equipment and ski poles.
DNA samples were matched with Bell’s living siblings David Bell and Valerie Kelly, who were surprised by the discovery.
“When my sister Valerie and I were notified that our brother Dennis had been found after 66 years we were shocked and amazed,” David Bell told BAS. He expressed the family’s gratitude to the British and Polish team for “bringing him home,” saying the discovered had helped them “come to terms with the tragic loss of our brilliant brother.”
Known by the nickname “Tink,” Bell joined the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS) – the predecessor of the BAS – as a meteorologist in 1958, seeking more adventure after a career with the Royal Air Force.
Undated handout photo issued by British Antarctic Survey of Dennis Bell (right) christmas festivities with colleagues from Admiralty Bay Station, c.1958. – British Antarctic Survey/PA/Alamy/Sipa
“This discovery brings closure to a decades-long mystery and reminds us of the human stories embedded in the history of Antarctic science,” said BAS director Dame Jane Francis, who added that it was “poignant and profound moment.”
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Bell was stationed at a small British base with of only half a dozen men in King George Island’s Admiralty Bay, where the sea ices over for nine months of the year.
Undated handout photo issued by British Antarctic Survey of Admiralty Bay Base on King George Island in 1951 where Dennis Bell was working. – British Antarctic Survey/PA/Alamy/Sipa
On July 26, 1959, Bell and three other men set out on dog sledges to climb the glacier on the island’s peak to carry out survey and geological work, with Bell and surveyor Jeff Stokes departing about 30 minutes before the other group.
The snow was deep and the dogs had begun to show signs of fatigue, so Bell walked ahead to encourage them, but he was not wearing his skis. Suddenly, he disappeared into the ice.
Stokes called down a hole in the ice and was “greatly relieved” to hear Bell answer, according to an account from former BAS Director Sir Vivian Fuchs in Antony Nelson’s book “Of Ice and Men.”
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Stokes then lowered a rope almost 100 feet into the hole, told Bell to tie himself onto it , and attached it to the dog sled, in an ill-fated attempt to lift him out, recounted Fuchs.
“Bell had tied the rope through his belt instead of round his body, perhaps because of the angle at which he lay in the crevasse. As he reached the top his body jammed against the lip, the belt broke, and down he went again,” Fuchs said.
Bell never responded to his friend’s calls after that.
Stokes left markers at the site and started making his way down the glacier to find the other team of men. After 12 hours, in deteriorating weather, they eventually returned to the site and determined there was no way he could have been saved.
Undated handout photo issued by British Antarctic Survey of the area at the front of the Ecology Glacier where the remains of Dennis Bell was found in loose rocks. – Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station/PA/Alamy/Sipa
“Dennis was one of the many brave FIDS personnel who contributed to the early science and exploration of Antarctica under extraordinarily harsh conditions,” said Francis, the BAS Director.
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“Even though he was lost in 1959, his memory lived on among colleagues and in the legacy of polar research.”
After being recovered by the Polish team, his remains were taken to the Falkland Islands on the BAS Research Ship the Sir David Attenborough where they were handed to the Coroner for British Antarctic Territory and transported to London.
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Shocking Discovery: Melting Antarctic Ice Uncovers Remains of Missing Researcher After 66 Years
Dennis Bell, who fell into a crevasse on July 26, 1959, was discovered by a Polish team on King George Island. The British Antarctic Survey confirmed that Bell’s remains, along with personal items like a watch and a Swedish knife, were found as the glacier retreated. This poignant discovery has provided his family with a sense of closure after decades of uncertainty.
www.cnn.com
The remains of a British researcher lost in Antarctica for 66 years have finally been recovered, bringing closure to a long-standing mystery. Dennis Bell, who fell into a crevasse on July 26, 1959, was discovered by a Polish team on King George Island in January 2025-08-12 10:48:00.
6 Key Takeaways British researcher Dennis Bell’s remains recovered
Fell into crevasse 66 years ago
Found by Polish team on King George Island
Family expressed gratitude for discovery
Bell’s contributions to Antarctic science remembered
Remains transported to London for examination
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) confirmed that Bell’s remains, along with personal items like a watch and a Swedish knife, were found as the glacier retreated. This poignant discovery has provided his family with a sense of closure after decades of uncertainty.
Fast Answer: Dennis Bell’s remains were recovered in Antarctica, offering closure to his family after 66 years of uncertainty surrounding his disappearance.
This recovery highlights the enduring human stories tied to Antarctic exploration. How many other mysteries lie beneath the ice? The discovery emphasizes the importance of scientific endeavors in remote regions.
Bell’s fall occurred during a geological survey.
His family expressed gratitude for the recovery efforts.
The findings underscore the challenges of Antarctic expeditions.
This incident reflects the risks faced by early polar researchers.
The recovery of Bell’s remains underscores the ongoing relevance of Antarctic research and the human stories intertwined with scientific exploration.
As we reflect on this discovery, it’s essential to recognize the sacrifices made by explorers. Will we continue to honor their legacies through ongoing research and exploration?
ULA Vulcan rocket to launch first national security mission
A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket is gearing up to launch a classified national security payload. The launch is scheduled for Tuesday evening from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This marks the first national security launch aboard a Vulcan rocket. The rocket will carry the Navigation Technology Satellite-3, which is the Defense Department’s first navigation satellite in nearly five decades. Once in orbit, the satellite will protect GPS technology and critical infrastructure from threats of jamming, ULA says.
The ULA Vulcan rocket, which is being prepped for liftoff from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, will launch the USSF-106 mission into space between 7:59 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.
The Vulcan rocket rolled out to the launch pad earlier Monday, as seen in a ULA post on X.
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket is prepared to launch a classified payload, known as USSF-106, for the United States Space Force from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The launch is scheduled for Tuesday evening. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI
This marks the first national security launch aboard a Vulcan rocket, which will carry the Navigation Technology Satellite-3.
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NTS-3 is the Defense Department’s first navigation satellite in nearly five decades. The satellite is managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and, once in orbit, will protect GPS technology and critical infrastructure from threats of jamming.
“We are excited to be here today, a historic point in our program history,” said Col. Jim Horne, USSF, mission director and senior material leader, Space Systems Command.
“We officially end our reliance on Russian-made rocket engines with this launch,” Horne added. “And we continue to maintain our assured access to space with at least two independent rocket service companies that we can leverage to get our capabilities on orbit.”
For anyone interested in viewing Tuesday’s launch, ULA has been keeping track of visibility.
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“Wondering if you can see the Vulcan rocket launch? This visibility map shows when and where your best chances are to see USSF106 as it lifts off Tuesday evening from Cape Canaveral,” ULA wrote in a separate post.
And for anyone not able to see it in person, a live broadcast of the launch is scheduled to begin about 20 minutes before liftoff.
Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on August 12, 2025
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways: The moon is still big and bright in our skies following the full moon, but you’ll notice that each night it’s a little darker on the right-hand side (left if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere) This is because of the lunar cycle. The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon’s visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of themoon whilst it orbits Earth. The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways
The moon is still big and bright in our skies following the full moon, but you’ll notice that each night it’s a little darker on the right-hand side (left if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere). This is because of the lunar cycle.
The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon’s visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth.
So, what’s happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 12?
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What is today’s moon phase?
As of Tuesday, Aug. 12, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous, and it is 88% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.
There’s a lot to see on the moon tonight, and it’s also the start of the peak of the Perseids Meteor Shower. The moonlight may dim some of the meteors, but some should still cut through the light.
Alongside this, with no visual aids on the moon, you can spot the Kepler Crater, Mare Serenitatis, and the Mare Vaporum. Add a telescope and you’ll see the Apollo 16, the Schiller Crater, and the Caucasus Mountains, a 323-mile-long mountain range.
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When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.
What are moon phases?
According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:
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New Moon – The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon – The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous – The moon starts losing light on the right side.
Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.