* Astronomy

First tests on equipment that will provide key data on the current state of Arctic ice have been successful.

In 2008, explorer Pen Hadow will trek 2,000km across the North Pole, dragging a radar that will probe the thickness of the ever-shrinking ice-cap.
In advance of the expedition, the team headed to Eureka, north Canada, to test whether the instruments could perform in the tough Arctic conditions.
Mr Hadow said that the team's "planning and hard work had paid off".
The radar, known as Sprite, was able to make accurate ice measurements in temperatures of -35C, the team said.

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