If you want to be in hundred-degree weather in the middle of summer, you go two places – Dallas, Texas, or the South Pole.Granted, at the South Pole the 100 degrees is below zero.This is so cold that any skin not covered will freeze in seconds.
Even with these conditions, twenty-eight people commit six months to living at the South Pole. They have to deal with no sunlight, very little contact with the world, and no way to escape.This group’s purpose is to maintain the U.S. polar base and to manage telescopes and other scientific instrumentation at the research station.This job is being changed by advancements in both communications and technology.
Recently North American astronomers were able to communicate and operate with the South Pole Observatory’s Telescope using a satellite.This was the first time any telescope at the South Pole had been controlled from a location so far away.The hope is that astronomers will someday be able to use the telescope from the comfort of the warm, comfortable, regular office.adventure antarctica tours
The people who commit to staying at the South Pole have to contend with the coldest, driest, and windiest conditions on this planet.There is not other continent that has elevations like Antarctica, so the crew also has to deal with limited oxygen.These conditions make it so only cold-adapted plants and animals can live here. Animals like seals and penguins. Plants like certain forms of algae and tundra vegetation.
Those who accept the risk of working during the Antarctic winter are called “winter-overs.”They have the privileges of a large variety of videos, a small exercise room, computers, a pool table and fabulous food.Typically winter-overs do not discus what occurs at the South Pole from February to October while they are isolated at the South Pole.antarctic tours
The notable expansion of the research program at the South Pole has resulted in a constant problem regarding a shortage of electrical power. There are only three oil-burning generators which are not able to produce enough power for all the computers, telescopes, lasers, and other electrical powered equipment.That being the case, the winter-overs must cope with insufficient power, tight quarters and cold buildings.
Various traditions are used by winter-overs to help pass the time.The outdoor temperature must be at least 100 degrees below zero for one to be inducted into the “300 Club.”The sauna is stoked up to 200 degrees for maximum warmth.They then sprint from the 200 degree sauna into the minus 100 degree air and back again.
Winter-overs also look forward to the airdrop.This occurs in June. It is the drop of pallets of food, mail, and supplies by a U.S. Air National Guard military transport plane.It is the responsibility of the winter-overs to quickly use heavy equipment to get all the treats into the station.Airdrop is the closest thing to contact with the rest of the world that winter-overs have during their six-month assignment.
For the full six months that they are there, they will not view a tree or wander more than one mile from the pole.Each crew member gets a one week vacation to the United States’ main Antarctic base, McMurdo Station.During their vacation they get to enjoy camping out in refreshing 25-degree climate, baking in the sun on the beach, and wearing t-shirts and jeans.
