At the South Pole from December 6, 2007 - January 14th, 2008: Research Experience Reflections
This PolarTREC project as part of the International Polar Year (IPY) was for me an unusual opportunity to return to the South Pole with the same research team and compare atmospheric ozone data collected in 1999 with the ozone data collected during the PolarTREC project in December 2007/January 2008.
I traveled to Antarctica in 1999 as a TEA teacher to collect data on atmospheric ozone and had the opportunity to return with Dr. David Hoffman’s NOAA team from Boulder, Colorado to continue our study. In 1999, Dave’s team was called the Climate Monitoring and Diagnostic Laboratory (CMDL). Its present name is the Global Monitoring Division GMD) of the Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) of NOAA...
Leaving the ice! Thank you and good by.
South Pole:
Temperature: minus 28 C, Minus 18 F
Windchill: minus 38 C, minus 36 F
Wind: 6 knts.
Weather: Windy, clearing sky
It was time to go. Many hugs and good by’s. Amy met me at the ski-way. It was windy but overcast. However, as we were waiting for the plane to get ready, the sun appeared. When I walked towards the plane, a halo was greeting me right as I passed it: it was going to be a good flight back to McMurdo and Christchurch.
Last photo at the ceremonial pole:
Jauary 14, 2008. Elke just before the flight at the Ceremonial Pole at its new position in front of the New Elevated Station
Leaving the South Pole:
Monday, January 14, 2007. The "Herc” is almost ready to bring me over the Trans-Antarctic Mountains back to...
Life at the South Pole Station: a retrospective photo journal.
Temperature: -26 C, -18 F
Windchill: - 36. 5C, -34 F
Wind: 7 knts.
Weather: clear and sunny.
It is Sunday, and brunch is served at 10 am. Many people enjoy this day as their day off from work and many activities are planned in the gym (soccer, volleyball) and in the dining hall (spelling bee contest). I was busy packing my bags, mailing the last packages and postcards (the post office is open this afternoon) because tomorrow, Monday, January 14th, I will be leaving the South Pole before noon.
I was also looking forward to see the "John and Jerry” show-presentation, an account about the history of the 3 stations at the Pole by John the station design engineer and Jerry the NSF construction manger.
Introducing the IGY...
Dedicating the New Elevated South Pole Station to the new century.
Temperature: - 29 Celsius, -18 F
Windchill: - 43 Celsius, - 44 F
Wind: in the morning 12 knots
Weather: Sunny, with some high clouds
When we got up this morning we found out that the weather allowed for a C17 to leave Christchurch with the NSF delegation on board; they were going to switch to a LC 130 in McMurdo and arrive at the South Pole, early afternoon. The Dedication celebration could proceed as planned!
At 7: 30 am we all gathered to have our group picture taken for Congress as the last historical photo in front of the Dom before the flag was going to be removed during the morning and then hoisted above the New Station in the afternoon.
The last group Photo in front of the Dom:
The last group photo...
Passing of time, the Dome and Sir Ed Hillary.
Temperature: - 32 Celsius, - 22.4 F
Windchill: - 46 Celsius, - 47 F
Wind: in the morning 17 knots
Weather: Sunny, with some high clouds, no flights due to a storm in McMurdo.
We are still hoping that the visitors from NSF will be able to take the plane early tomorrow morning from Christchurch and come to our Dedication celebration. It will be a long day for them coming to the South Pole for 5 hours and being here under such extreme conditions. However, it will be all worth it.
In the mean time, the station has geared up for the big day.
A special clean up group has come to the station for a week to help with special cleaning assignments:
Helpers from McMurdo:
This group of janitors came to help at the station. Each one of them...
33 years of the Old Dom.
Temperature: - 26 C, 14 F
Windchill: - 41 C, - 41 F
Wind: 14 – 20 knts.
Weather: windy and sunny, no flights do to a snow storm in McMurdo
We had another day of no flights. Work at the station went on, even with 15-25 knots of wind.
Yesterday was the anniversary of the Old Dom. Since we will be celebrating the dedication of the New Station soon, I thought it important to dedicate this journal to the Old Dom.
But before here the answer to yesterday’s question: when were the first and second South Pole stations built.
First station = Original station (1957–1975) Second station: Jan 9 1975Dome (1975–2003) (For more information go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amundsen-Scott_South_Pole_Station )
Jerry Mary, the NSF New Station project...
Fire fighters at the South Pole.
Temperature: -23.7C, -10.7F
Windchill: -31.1C, -24.0F
Wind: 4.9 knts. Grid 127
Weather: Clear and Sunny with high clouds, however, all planes canceled because of a storm in McMourdo.
In the past, fire fighter volunteers had been trained to protect the station. For the past two years we have had a fire department at the South Pole who also train the fire fighter volunteer brigade for the summer and winter season. The department consists of four professional fire fighters: Lieutenant William Molidor, David Palmer, Christopher Cavanaugh, and David Breitenfeld.
The fire fighters at South Pole Station
The fire fighters at South Pole Station inside their office: (fr. l. to r.) Chris, David Palmer, William Molidor, and David Breitenfeld.*
Lieutenant...
At the beginning of my stay, I had the privilege to see the largest telescope of that kind on earth. It is called the South Pole Telescope and it has a reflector of 10 meters in diameter. Helmuth Spieler, one of the principal investigators, presented to me his research and showed me the telescope earlier, when one of its main part: the cryostat was still to be put together.
To get to the telescope, one has to go to the "Dark Sector” of the station, about ½ mile away from the main station. It is called "Dark Sector” because no external light initiated by humans is allowed in the section during the winter and summer time. In order to get there, one has to cross the ski-way (run –way). When the "Beacon” is on, one is NOT allowed to cross the ski-way, because a plane might be leaving or...
Satellites at the South Pole. Welcoming a new member of the research team!
Temperature: - 25.7 C, - 14.3 F
Windchill: - 30.9 C, - 23.6 F
Wind: 2.9, Grid 158
Weather: sunny with scattered high clouds, over casting during the evening.
Before I am reporting again about yet another amazing day at South Pole learning about our satellite communication, let me welcome Teresa, a new member of the NOAA team. She arrived from Barrow, Alaska, leaving on the 30th of December and arriving here on the 5th of January. She literally went from almost the North Pole (Barrow is 1250 miles away from the North Pole) to the South Pole: from almost 24 hour darkness and Arctic winter temperatures to 24 light and Antarctic summer temperatures. Teresa is an electronic technician and she has been living with...
Preparing the greens for the winter-over time
Temperature: - 28 C, - 18.4 F
Windchill: -28 C, -18.4 F
Wind: 0.0 in the morning
Weather: Clear and sunny with a few high clouds
It was beautiful Sunday. There was no wind in the morning and it was great for outside activities. Most people had the day off and recharged by skiing, playing out door Frisbee, in door soccer, doing laundry or just reading a book. I caught up with writing, mailing and emails.
However, I also visited the green house again. I pass it by every day ! It is great just going inside and smell all the greens and feel the moist air.
The view of the Green House form the hall way.
The gardener at the South Pole.
Monique Dulac is the gardener at the South Pole. However this is not her full time job. She is from Main...
What would we do without machinery?
Temperature: **-27.8 C, - 18.0 F
**Windchill: - 36.0 C, - 32.8 F
Wind: 4.9 knts.
Weather: clear and sunny
David Carson is the head of the VMF, the Vehicle Maintenance Facility, in other words the garage. This is his first season on the ice. He and his team take care of all the heavy and light vehicles. The garage is located in one of the three arches next to the power plant and the storage facility.
The garage (VMF) of South Pole Station.
Inside the garage
There are 10 people working in the garage, including 5 heavy mechanics, 1 light mechanics, 2 general assistants (GA), a work-order-scheduler, and the VMS supervisor. The operators of this equipment work in a different department.
Heavy machines being repaired.
Heavy machines being repaired...
Sir Edmund Hillary led the first Tractor party to the South Pole
Temperature: -26 C, -18 F
Windchill: - 36. 5C, -34 F
Wind: 5 knts.
Weather: sunny and clear
Remember what I told you yesterday about Jerry Marty’s love for Antarctic history.
Today we received this email from him which I appreciated very much!
"Jan 4, 2008 South Pole Station
To All,
For all of you Antarctic and South Pole history buffs. Today 1/4/08 marks the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand tractor party arrival at South Pole led by Sir Edmund Hillary – January 4, 1958.
The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition was comprised of the United Kingdoms’ Dr. Vivian Fuchs and the New Zealand’s Sir Edmond Hillary. Dr. Fuchs was to depart from Shackleton Base, and then on to Scott Base as the final destination via...
A day and a life at the South Pole
Temperature: - 27.5 C, - 18.6 F
Windchill: -37.5 C, - 35.7 F
Wind: 0.0 in the morning 4 knts. Later in the day
Weather: Clear and Sunny
The weather in the morning was absolutely gorgeous. We had little wind, which is very unusual for the South Pole.
No Wind at South Pole
It is very unusual to have no wind at the South Pole Station. This morning was such a day.*
I had an appointment with David from the garage to learn about all the different light and heavy machines used at the South Pole.
At 11:30 we were expecting representatives from congress for the day. We had prepared ARO for the upcoming visitors.
Andy is explaining some of the data to visitors.
Andy is explaining some of the data to visitors.*
Facing the camera to his left is Russ...
Radiation to and from the Earth
Temperature: - 27.5 C, -18.2 F
Windchill: -37.2 C, - 35.0 F
Wind: 5 knts.
Weather: clear and sunny
The Global Monitoring Division of NOAA monitors also the incoming and outgoing radiation at different sites, including at the South Pole. This is important because energy associated with the Earth’s radiation budget (incoming and outgoing radiation in our atmosphere) is not only responsible for maintaining the thermal state of the planet‘s atmosphere and oceans but also affects their motions and related processes. For instance, changes in radiation might cause climate changes, therefore, this data collection also investigates causes and consequences of any changes in the observed surface radiation budget of the earth’s atmosphere. How can radiation change...
The moving of the geographic pole marker!
Temperature: -28 C, -18.4 F
Windchill: -37.8, - 36.0 F
Wind: 6.6 knts.
Weather: clear and sunny
Another year has started: 2008!
I was looking forward to this day and the celebration of placing the new Geographic Pole marker at the correct 90 degree South position! The celebration was at 6:30pm and many people attended to see the ceremony: moving first the US flag, then the Amundsen-Scott Memorial plate and placing the new Pole at 90 degree South.
First, the correct position for 90 South was determined and marked with flags
Flag designate the new Geographic Pole.
Flags designate the new Geographic Pole position (green) and the position for the American flag and the Amundsen-Scott honorary plate.*
Drilling deep into the snow.
Next, the holes...
Temperature: -27.5 C, 17.4 F
Windchill: -37.2 C, - 35.8 F
Wind: 5.6 knts.
Weather: clear and sunny
Although today is New Year’s Eve, yesterday was our official New Year’s Eve party, to be able to give all on station a long weekend (except scientists). Today, Monday was a day to rest; tomorrow, the first of January, will be a normal work day at the American stations in Antarctica.
Since it is Monday, we needed to do a stratospheric balloon flight. After posting my journals and answering questions during morning satellite hours, I went to the BIF where Amy had already started the flight.
We used the flight hours conditioning another ozonesonde and cleaning up the lab in the BIF.
**Preparing the ozonesonde. **
Cargo has not arrived yet, so we conditioned the ozonesonde that has been...
Pipes under the snow provide our heat - including for the early New Year’s Party at the South Pole.
Temperature: -25.3 C, - 15.5 F
Windchill: - 36 C, - 32.8 F
Wind: 11 knts.
Weather: overcast in the morning clearing in the evening.
This Sunday was filled with all kind of different activities. Because of logistics, today was also our official New Year’s Eve.
The morning was filled with answering emails and posting one more journal. I made it to the gym before brunch and enjoyed the New Year’s Eve prep- activities in the gym below. The ceiling was going to be decorated with an old parachute.
Gym getting ready for the Party
I was amazed how hard everyone worked to make this event very special.*
After brunch about 8 of us met Craig Bell, the utility engineer (same person I met to...
The Safety and Health Department
Temperature: -25.6.8 C, - 14.1F
Windchill: - 38.4C, - 37.1F
Wind: 12.6 knts.
Weather: clear and sunny
A 6:30 am morning call gave me time to post the journals and meet Carolyn Macola, our Safety and Health Engineer at 8 am to accompany her for some water sample testing.
I was looking forward to this meeting because of similar testing I do with students using water from the Hudson and the East River around New York City during my Ecology Water Unit.
Kai Ross, the Health and Safety specialist from McMurdo just arrived at the South Pole and came along with us. She is originally from New York and used to work for the DEP in New York being responsible for the drinking water. (It is very tasty; I can assure you that having lived in New York City for many...
Power and Heat is important
Temperature: -25.6.8 C, - 14.1F
Windchill: - 38.4C, - 37.1F
Wind: **12.6 knts.
**Weather: clear and sunny
Tim, one of the power plant engineers and former air plane engineer first explained to me the different parts of the power plant because once we would be inside the engine room we would not be able to talk much because of the noise.
The power plant has 4 generators. 3 are identical in size: each could produce 750 KW. The 4th generator is smaller.
The daily demand of the station is about 675 KW. The power plant supplies all main building of the station with power and heat: the main station, ARO, summer-camp, the cryo-building (holding of the helium tanks), and the "Dark Sector” plus a few smaller camps, such as the Jeffery Observatory that conducts...
The Water-Well at the South Pole.
Temperature: -26.3 C, - 15.3 F
Windchill: - 33.3 C, - 28.0 F
Wind: 4.2 knots.
Weather: 100% overcast in the morning, with ice crystals in the air. In the afternoon and evening clear and sunny
The Satellite is now up only until 9:30 am, so it was an early morning again to get the journal corrected and posted. At 10:30 am I was able to meet Craig Bell the Utility Chief Engineer (Preventive Maintenance Foreman) of the station to learn more about the water production here at South Pole.
Since we are 800 miles away from the coastal water and the station is located on 9700feet of accumulated snow and ice on top of a continent, the only way to get fresh water is to melt the snow or ice. Since the very first station was in operation during the IGY in 1957,...
A team went across Antarctica.
Temperature: -27.8 C, - 18.0 F
Windchill: - 36.0 C, - 32.8 F
Wind: 4.9 knts.
Weather: clear and sunny
In the morning of Christmas Eve we had special guests arriving at the South Pole that we looked forward greeting for some time. It was the ITASE Travers team. We were glad they made it to our Christmas dinner on December 24. Most of them also participated in our "race around the world”. The team has been traversing Antarctica since October. Here is some information about them. The team posted daily journals on their web
ITASE Traverse (International Trans Antarctic Expedition): Research from Taylor Dome to South Pole (Event # I-153-M/S)
The ITASE Traverse is an ongoing project that is a collaborative of many nations. The traverse this year is from...
Andy’s spectacular tale of ozonesonde retrieval **
**Temperature: -27.9 C, - 18. 1F
Windchill: **- 36 C, - 32.8 F
**Wind: 4 knots
Weather: Clear
It was another late night of sorting photos and organizing for the holiday journals. However, I was able to get up early and post everything. The questions and comments are also updated! Thank you all for all the questions.
As you noticed, the daily data collection at ARO continued during the holidays. All the instruments have to be checked and the Dobson data has to be collected. Air samples have to be taken. The work has to be done to assure continues data collection.
And today was a perfect day to continue the surface ozone balloon flight: bright and sunny with little wind. Today was also a good chance to retrieve the ozonesonde with the...
Running around the world 3 times in 2.5 miles!
Temperature: - 28.5 C, - 18.9F
Windchill: -39.8C, - 39.5 F
Wind: 3 knots
Weather: clear and sunny
I went up at 7:30am to call my family in Germany. It was 7:30 pm for them at Christmas Eve, just the right time to call.
The race was supposed to start at 10 am followed with a wonderful brunch.
I had time to get a bowl of oatmeal, some fruits and tea, and check my emails.
Then I got dressed for the race. I went out early to see all participants arrive in their creative outfits or means of transportation.
The race was 3 times around the world: a total of 2.5 miles.
All vehicles accepted
The race started next to the South Pole. Some of the drivers with thier heavy machinery were already waiting.*
**Erin from New Zealand **
Erin, a...
**Christmas Eve at South Pole: **
Temperature: - 28.5 C, -18.5 F
Windchill: - 36.6 C, -35.2 F
Wind: 2 knts
Weather: Clear and sunny
For many scientists it was a normal work day until the Christmas gala dinner which was held in three different seatings.
I knew we needed to get up early to start the Monday Stratospheric balloon flight.
The kitchen, in the meantime was getting ready for the afternoon gala dinner:
Christmas spirit was evident everywhere! The Dining hall assistants always wore Santa hats.
Amy was already at the BIF at 8:30 am and at 9:30 am she was ready to launch the stratospheric Xmas balloon.
Amy ready to Launch
Amy is in front of the BIF, ready to launch the stratospheric balloon.*
Amy letting go
Amy is letting go of the balloon.*
Xmas Balloon in the air
The...
Before Christmas at the South pole
Temperature: - 29 C, - 20.2F
Windchill: **- 39C, - 38.2 F
**Wind: 6.6 knts.
Weather: Mostly clear
Saturday morning was taking up with posting journals, answering questions posted on the web, and attending the weekly all-station science meeting with representatives of all science projects present. After lunch, I answered more student’s question fro the web and went to ARO at 3pm, just in time for tea-time and more "stollen”.
The evening was taking up doing laundry and answering more students’ cards to be mailed from the South Pole. The rest of the station geared up for Christmas and the anticipation and Christmas spirit was evident everywhere.
Dining Hall Christmas preparation
General Assistants Katie and Coreen are preparing the candle lights for...
