eggs and ice

We're not receiving any more fresh food shipments down here; that hasn't happened since mid-February. But we do still have the greenhouse production, a few shriveled apples, and eggs.
Oh yes, eggs. Over easy and poached, hard fried and sunny side up... some things you don't even notice until they're gone. The eggs will last a while, since they are in their protective shell, but nothing lasts forever, and some things don't last 6 months. Last week we had an egg oiling party- volunteers were lured into the galley with the promise of free alcohol to help rub oil on our last remaning cases of eggs. The oil reduces the permeability of the shells, and helps increase the shelf life. We try to use non-perishable, frozen, and dried versions of foods as much as we can- frozen eggs, powdered milk, dried mushrooms- and so the occasional fresh egg can be a luxury.

Also last week, a few of us went into the ice tunnels for a tour led by one of our Utility Technicians. These tunnels accommodate the pipes that carry the water from our waterwells to the station, and the gray water and waste from the station. Abandoned waterwells (holes drilled deep in the ice ) are used as the receptacles for waste water. Most of our waste is shipped off station, but the grey water stays here. Just as you can't set your septic system too close to your well, our waterwells have to be planned with adequate distance between them.

The tunnels run in several directions (we've just completed our third waterwell) and maps are placed along the walls, as well as exit hatches. The tunnels are wide and well lit, the snow hard packed and white as concrete; you can almost forget that you are 30 feet under the surface, surrounded by ice and snow. Almost, except for the constant -60 degree cold. Some of the tunnels have more moisture in them, and there icicles form- so delicate they wave in the breeze of passers by.

Along the walls of the tunnels, people have carved recesses and built small memorials to their season, their friends, and themselves. While the surface is ever changing, the frozen tunnel walls will remain undisturbed until they collapse under the weight of disuse and drifting snow.

We left the tunnels through an escape hatch, a good ways out from the station, in a moonless foggy night (though it was just after noon in New Zealand time). Taking a moment to get our bearings, we headed back toward the lights and warmth. It wasn't hard to think of the explorers before us, fighting wind and snow to reach the pole. And it was easy to forget them, as we trailed into to galley to see what was for lunch, check the images on our digital cameras, and talk about plans for the weekend.

But some of that adventurer spirit still lingers, and we can still be reminded of it- by each other and this amazing place.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from thes afe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

space weather

You're sitting at your desk, creating another work order for the maintenance guys to go fix the ice cream machine, when you hear the all call on your radio- "Hey guys, there are some really great auroras out there right now!" Rush to your room, throw on the ECW gear, grab the camera, down the stairs, hit that sudden cold, and look up. The stars are brilliant, the constellations unfamiliar, and the sky is filled with undulating green fire.

Maybe someone comes out of the dark and stands near you, and together you linger, watching the sky unfold.

Auroras are produced by the collision of charged particles from Earth's magnetosphere, mostly electrons, with atoms and molecules of Earth's upper atmosphere. Most originate from the Sun and arrive at the vicinity of Earth in the relatively low-energy solar wind.
The collisions in the atmosphere electronically excite atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere. The excitation energy can be lost by light emission or collisions. Most aurorae are green and red emission from atomic oxygen.

the stars come out

We had our monthly two day weekend this past weekend, and with it came the BF5K race and Polestock, the first live music show of the winter.
The BF5K is a race through the station- 18 laps. Costumes are mandatory and you can run (as a team in relays or solo) or sponsor a runner. How do you sponsor? Dress silly and cheer them on.

Michael (sous chef) and Philip (waste technician) narrated the race for Michael's yet to be posted podcast.

Todd (carpenter) with nurse escort Deb (cook). He was the long shot, but he's so brave.

Mandi (carpenter), Jane (materials), Robin (materials) and Sue (meteorology).

After the race we had a few hours to recover before Polestock- the biggest show on the continent. 7 bands and solo acts, free entry for locals.

First you have to get past security.

Andy (plumbing foreman), Siah (equipment operator) and Paul (utility technician- that's not his real hair). It was better than the Hell's Angels, but not by much... What happens when you have to call security on security?

The stage was set up in the gym, and if you were one of the lucky few (which was about 2/3rd of the station), you warrented a backstage pass. Or you could just walk on back...

And don't forget the show outside....

no words

You try not to think too much about the calendar (still a long way to go...) and take it week by week. It's not a hard life down here, and that can make it too easy to fall in to the simple routine of the days and forget what a spectacular place this is.
Then you go outside and look up.

how's the weather

One of the fringe benefits of living at the South Pole (besides free movie rentals and all you can eat meals) is the constant exposure to the science projects and the occasional opportunity to participate. You can't help but absorb some knowledge about neutrinos and space lightning, solar flares and ice cores...

A few days ago our met department launched a double balloon (we were out of the larger ones). Invitations were issued to attend the launch and to help position and release the balloons.
Weather balloons are launched around the world for observations used to diagnose current conditions as well as by human forecasters and computer models for weather forecasting. An instrument (called a radiosonde) attached to the balloon measures the atmospheric pressure, air temperature and relative humidity. About 800 locations around the globe do routine releases. Both military and civilian government meteorological agencies in the US typically launch balloons, and by international agreements almost all the data is shared with all nations.

the little things

It's true that down here everything becomes exaggerated. The isolation, grind of work, the constant sameness... As we grow paler and hairier our individual personality tweaks are beginning to manifest. If something bothered you a little before winter began, it's almost certain to annoy you even more now. These people are all around you, all the time, and tempers can wear thin.

Then a friend comes by your room to tell you- "It's so beautiful outside right now. Come with me and see."

And you remember why you keep coming back.

communication

Our station windows are blocked now, to keep the interior lights from interfering with science instruments. It's a change, not being able to walk down the halls and glance out the window to check the sky and status of the sunset. Now those of us who work primarily inside have to rely on people coming in from outside and our ever diligent science techs to let us know of interesting atmospheric phenomena.

Soon it will be dark enough to see the auroras; ample reward for the long dark winter.