Over the years Easter has been celebrated, or not, very differently at the South Pole. One year we had a Tyvek suit bunny hiding eggs, followed by an elaborate egg hunt. We wound up finding rotten eggs months, even years, later. In another year we had a failed attempt to dye eggs by a certain individual with the excuse that “Mom never told me that you have to use hot water”. OK, the eggs being oiled doesn’t help either. Some of us walked around with red and blue fingers for a few days. Well, and in other years we just ignored Easter or forgot about it. It’s not a day off down here.
(more…)

Kicking off this year’s round of kite aerial photography is a spherical Panorama of the New Station.

Please click on the image below to view the panorama:
Temperature: 63.2°C / 145.8°F, Windchill: 71.2°C / 160.2°F, Wind: E (80.0°) at 4.0 knt Date: 2008-03-15 01:34:44 NZDT

(more…)

In the evening the sun is at grid North, casting its rays at the front of the New Station. Motivation enough to get back out and get the kite flying again. The panorama gives a good idea of the size of the New Station. You have me down there for scale. To the left of the New Station you can see the Dome.

The sun is still very low above the horizon. Watch for the long shadow I am casting. I also put a hotspot right at the Geographic South Pole. Try to find it.

Please click on the image below to view the panorama:
Temperature: -62.0°C / -79.6°F, Windchill: -74.9°C / -102.8°F, Wind: ENE (70.0°) at 4.0 knt Date: 2007-09-30 21:50:10 NZDT