Week 49 at the Pole

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Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF

Why are the winterovers playing chess out on the ice? The answer might just be a question itself—why not? Yes, it’s cold outside, but since there are many activities at the Pole that need to be done outdoors, you just can’t let the weather get in your way. And at least it was sunny with clear skies. The fine weather also allowed some igloo builders to get creative. The igloo’s inside was described as “one bedroom, no Wi-Fi, *relatively* warm.” Hmm, accurate enough.

Last week at the Pole there was a lot going on as usual. There was work done on ice core logging, continued server updates in the IceCube Lab (ICL), equipment repairs, a tour of the ICL, and an outreach webcast. And even with all that, a contingent of Badger football fans went out to take a group photo at the ceremonial Pole in support of the news that the UW–Madison team made it into the Rose Bowl this year.

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Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF
inside_igloo
Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF
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Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF
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Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF