Swedish–Russian Arc-of-Meridian Expedition
The Swedish–Russian Arc-of-Meridian expedition was a scientific expedition to Svalbard that took place from 1899 to 1902. The main purpose of the mission was to measure a meridian arc, in order to determine the earth flattening at the poles. The measurements were done by an establishing a chain of triangulation points from Keilhaufjellet in Sørkapp Land to Vesle Tavleøya north of Nordaustlandet. The Russians were responsible for the southern measurements, while the Swedes performed the northern measurements from a base at Crozierpynten on the eastern side of Sorgfjorden. A total arc of 4°10' was measured. The expedition also took the first photographs of the aurora. References Arctic expeditions Svalbard Geodetic surveys History of Earth science 1899 in science 19th century in the Arctic 20th century in the Arctic