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Your Guide To Working And Settling In Antarctica

By CruiseDirector | February 9, 2010

Do you know what Dallas, USA and the South Pole have in common? Believe it or not, they both see 100 degree temperatures in July.The difference is that at the South Pole the temperature is 100 degrees below zero.This is so cold that any skin not covered will freeze in seconds.

Even with these conditions, twenty-eight people commit six months to living at the South Pole. They have to deal with no sunlight, very little contact with the world, and no way to escape.These twenty-eight people are part of the U.S. crew that maintains and operates the telescopes and other scientific equipment found at the South Pole research station.However, even in this frozen area so far from civilization, modern technology is leaving its mark.

Recently, North American astronomers used satellite communications to be able to control the telescope at the South Pole’s observatory.This was the first time any telescope at the South Pole had been controlled from a location so far away.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.antarctica tours

The crew that stays at the South Pole must find ways to handle the coldest, driest, and windiest climates on Earth.Antarctica has a higher elevation than any other continent which can complicate even the seemingly simple job of breathing.As a result, little else survives in that climate, save for animals and plants that have already adapted to the cold.

Those who choose to face the six month winter in Antarctica are referred to as “winter-overs.”To make the experience better, they are given excellent food, some exercise equipment, computers, a pool table, and a variety of videos to watch.Winter-overs do not talk much about what occurs between February, when winter begins, and October, when they are taken back to civilization.antarctica holiday

Because of the growth in popularity of the South Pole’s research program, the station often suffers from electrical power outages.There are only three oil-burning generators to power the computers, lights, telescopes, lasers, and other electrical powered devices.Due to this issue, winter-overs find themselves dealing with the added problems of inadequate power, cramped quarters and cold buildings.

The winter months are broken up using some traditions.In order to be part of the “300 Club,” there needs to be temperatures less than 100 degrees below zero.They start by heating the sauna up to 200 degrees.Then, they run from the 200 degree sauna out into the 100 degree below temperature air, and then back inside.

Winter-overs also look forward to airdrops.Every June, a U.S. Air National Guard military transport plane will fly over the South Pole to drop deliver pallets of food, mail and other supplies.Quickly the winter-overs go outside to utilize heavy equipment and bring the goodies inside the station.For six months, airdrop is the nearest the winter-overs will come to any physical contact with the rest of the world.

In their stay in Antarctica, the winter-overs are never able to see a tree or go more than a mile from the pole.Everyone who takes on this responsibility is given a week’s vacation at the McMurdo Station, which is a U.S Antarctic base.During this vacation time, the winter-overs may camp out in comfortable 25 degree weather, sun themselves on the rocky beach and dress in t-shirts and jeans.

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