1.   Emperors and Adelie penguins are the only two penguin species inhabiting the Antarctic continent proper, although other species live among the northern islands of Antarctica.

2.   The largest balloons can stay aloft for weeks, repeatedly circling the entire Antarctic continent.

3.   But Moncur said he expected the ship would have to abandon its pioneering midwinter voyage to the edge of the Antarctic continent and return to Hobart for repairs.

4.   The Antarctic continent is said to have huge oil and mineral reserves.

5.   The South African government supply ship SA Agulhas left Cape Town on Tuesday for the Antarctic continent, where a new expedition base will be opened later this month.