Week 31 at the Pole

A very bright moon peeking above the South Pole station.
Camille Parisel, IceCube/NSF

It was rather bright last week at the Pole, but it was all moon, no sun. They are still in nautical twilight there, so it will still be a while before the sun actually makes its appearance. Some folks at the Pole are surely ready for it. Even so, look at the auroras below—faint or otherwise, they are still nice to see but will be gone once summer begins. In the meantime, the station was immersed full swing in Polympics events last week. These included a pretzel-eating contest (who needs donuts) and something called “frozen tower building.” The one shown below was made with rags. Only at the Pole!

Dark sky with a bit of lingering moonlight along horizon and some faint green auroras.
Camille Parisel, IceCube/NSF
People in a line eating pretzels hanging from strings.
Camille Parisel, IceCube/NSF
A frozen “rag” tower that looks a bit like a short ghost.
Camille Parisel, IceCube/NSF