Your Guide To Working And Settling In Antarctica
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You may be surprised to know that Dallas, Texas has something in common with the South Pole: they both reach 100 degree temperatures in July.Granted, the South Pole sees temperatures of 100 degrees below zero, not above.If you were to stand outside naked, you’d be frozen in a single moment.
There are 28 people stationed at the South Pole for six months knowing that they will have no sunlight, virtually no contact with the outside world and no way to get away.This crew is responsible for operating the United States’ polar base, which includes manning the research station’s telescopes and other equipment.However, even in this frozen area so far from civilization, modern technology is leaving its mark.
Astronomers of North America until now have employed satellite communications to work the South Pole observatory’s telescope.This was the first time a South Pole telescope was controlled from a warmer continent.Eventually, it is hoped by astronomers that it will become unnecessary for people to have to man the South Pole stations at all, operating everything remotely instead.affordable antarctica tours
People on Antarctica have to deal with the coldest, driest, and windiest environments on Earth.Its elevation is the highest of the continents, making breathing sometimes difficult.It is due to the extreme cold and high altitudes that only cold-adapted plans and animals can live here. These include penguins, seals, various types of algae and tundra vegetation.
The people who accept the challenge of working through a winter in Antarctica are referred to as “winter-overs.”For entertainment, they have to rely on a large variety of videos, a small exercise room, a pool table, great food, and traditions.Typically winter-overs do not discus what occurs at the South Pole from February to October while they are isolated at the South Pole.antarctica holiday
The notable expansion of the research program at the South Pole has resulted in a constant problem regarding a shortage of electrical power. There are only three oil-burning generators which are not able to produce enough power for all the computers, telescopes, lasers, and other electrical powered equipment.However, they are not able to keep up, which causes the winter-overs to have to deal with insufficient power, as well as confined living arrangements, and cold buildings.
Traditions are fun ways to while away the hours while in Antarctica.One is the “300 Club” which requires a day where the temperature is at least 100 degrees below zero.A sauna is heated up to 200 degrees.Then they enter the sauna, run out into the -100 degree air, and return to the 200 degree sauna.
The crew also looks forward to airdrop.Every June, they receive supplies, mail and, most importantly, food, via an Air National Guard transport that drops them by the palletload.Once the drop has taken place the winter-overs face the chilling air while they rush to use heavy equipment to bring all the treats inside.That single airdrop is the most contact with another person these people get in six months of occupation.
In their stay in Antarctica, the winter-overs are never able to see a tree or go more than a mile from the pole.But everyone is provided a one week vacation at McMurdo Station, which is the main U.S. Antarctic base.While on vacation, the winter-overs can enjoy camping and frolicking on the rocky beach in jeans and t-shirts in the relatively warm 25-degree weather.
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