Week 25 at the Pole

View form the end of long dinner table, set up and decorated with attendees facing camera.
Luke Longren, NSF

Midwinter has finally arrived at the Pole, and along with it the usual flurry of activity. This year, celebrations were given a medieval theme. Decorations and dress code followed suit for the traditional dinner. Before the meal, they had some fun with a festive disco bowling event in the gym. And check out their midwinter greeting card, for the traditional (lots of traditions!) exchange with other Antarctic stations. The last image shows the IceCube Lab lit up under a dark sky filled with stars and auroras, a nice visual treat for when you have to make the trek out there in the cold. And last week it was cold—extra cold, reaching down to 100 °F at one point.

View of gym under disco lights.
Camille Parisel, IceCube/NSF
Group photo of South Pole winterovers against dark/black background, as cover of the midwinter greeting card.
Luke Longren, NSF
Three-quarter view of the IceCube Lab lit in red, with stars and auroras in the dark sky yabove.
James Lee, NSF