Week 24 at the Pole

Group photo, seated at long table for midwinter meal.
Matthew Young, NSF

Finally, midwinter has arrived!  Midwinter is widely celebrated across Antarctica, not just at the South Pole, and has many traditions, including exchanging gifts and sharing a lavish meal. This year at the Pole, the theme for the festivities was 1920s prohibition, with dress and decorations to match, and with a “secret” bar—winterover Josh served as the bouncer. This year’s meal was indeed lavish, with nine courses (nine!). The dish pit crew looks happy enough, though, considering the number of plates they had to clean given so many courses. With all the excitement, it was a good week for the IceCube detector to be nice and quiet.

Winterover Josh standing with clipboard, as midwinter secret bar bouncer.
Martin Wolf, IceCube/NSF
Long view of dinner table, with fancy chandelier overhead in foreground.
Martin Wolf, IceCube/NSF
Close-up on plate, one of nine courses in midwinter meal.
Martin Wolf, IceCube/NSF
Two dish pit crew members, smiling for the camera.
Martin Wolf, IceCube/NSF