Week 11 at the Pole

Long shadows cast on the icy surface at the South Pole from buildings in the Dark Sector, off in the distance.
Moreno Baricevic, IceCube/NSF

Long shadows are getting even longer. The sun hasn’t quite set completely at the Pole, but it’s very close. The weather last week was rather cloudy and windy. If it continues like that next week, the skies might be uncooperative for getting nice sunset photos. In the meantime, the images here were captured in a few rare moments of clear sky. They show how different the sky can look depending on whether you’re facing the sun or in another direction. In the third image, with the rising moon high in the sky, you can hardly make out the horizon in the distance. Last week at the Pole, they had not one but two celebrations: the traditional sunset dinner and a festive Saint Patrick’s Day event, complete with an Irish Pub and a concert by the South Pole Irish Traditional Folk Band “Ace and the Paddy’s.”

Orange sun low on horizon at the South Pole.
Moreno Baricevic, IceCube/NSF
Rising moon high in the sky at the South Pole during sunset.
Moreno Baricevic, IceCube/NSF
Group of musicians, with various instruments and in front of music stands, performing at the South Pole station.
Moreno Baricevic, IceCube/NSF