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 Carnahan, member of congress, 3 district, Missouri and on-the-ice escort Scott Borg, Director of Antarctic Science Division
Andy: C02 is still rising
Andy is explaining the rising C02 levels to Leslee Gilbert, Minority Staff Director, and Jerry Hartz, House Speaker’s Office of Floor operation.
Elke is handing out air sample souvenirs
Elke is handing out air sample souvenirs taking form the Clean Air Field. The CO2 was 324ppm!*
If you would have 4 hours at the South Pole Station, what would you include doing?
Of course, taking pictures at the pole as a life-long memory!
NSF representatives at the South Pole
Scott Borg, Director of the Antarctic Science Division and Vladimir Papitashvili, NSF science representative at the South Pole at the South Pole.*
Elke and representatives at the Pole.
Scott Borg, NSF, Director of the Antarctic Science Division, Russ Carnahan, Member of Congress, Missouri, and Elke Bergholz, PoarTREC teacher at the Ceremonial Pole.*
Group photo of Congressional members at the South Pole
Group photo of Congressional members at the South Pole. On-Ice-Escort Scott Borg is holding the DOM (Digital Optical Module, neutrino detector), from the IceCube project. All members signed the DOM.*
It was a busy day for the station. I am glad I had a chance to talk to some of the members of Congress. I appreciate their interest in the science done at South Pole and their support, including their support of the PolarTREC program
The station continues to have day visitors. In addition, everyone is busy for the dedication of the New Station in a week. Many visitors will come for that day. Unfortunately, David Hofmann, my PI of the PolarTREC project will not be able to come.
One of the people arriving is actually not a visitor. He is the "home-comer”: Jerry Marty. Jerry is the NSF project manager of the New South Pole Station and he will stay through the end of the season. He has been with the South Pole project from the very beginning. The station posted "Welcome Home Jerry” on the dining hall monitors because South Pole Station certainly has been his second home. This season in over 10 years has been the first time he has been home for Thanksgiving and Christmas! His dedication has been amazing and I wonder how he ever will be able to let go of this special place.
Jerry’s history with Antarctica goes back to 1969 when he was first at the Byrd Station as a civilian contractor. In 1975 he started to work at the Dom with his wife at South Pole Station and he has not left since. Talking to him is like talking to a living Antarctic history book which I appreciate very much.
**Jerry Marty, NSF project manager of New South Pole. **
Jerry Marty, NSF project manager of New South Pole in front of the completed New Station.*
Question: Who was Byrd?
Comments