Week 11 at the Pole

Low sun blocked by ceremonial marker, but shining through the US flag off to the left.
Ilya Bodo, IceCube/NSF

The lowering sun at the South Pole made for some great photos last week. Above, the sun itself is blocked by the ceremonial Pole marker, but it’s light shines through the US flag just behind the marker. IceCube winterover Ilya took advantage of the clear days last week to get out and capture these nice images—check out that fish-eye view of the sky at the ceremonial Pole. Unfortunately, the weather was uncooperative on last week’s day of official sunset. Still, there will likely be more opportunities for “sunset” photos in the coming weeks as twilight is a slow process at the Pole, with light that lingers long after the sun actually dips below the horizon. Even though daylight has been holding on, it was dark enough to clearly see the moon high up in the sky.

Low sun on the horizon behind the line of flags at the ceremonial South Pole.
Ilya Bodo, IceCube/NSF
Tall view of mostly sky, with the moon up high against a darkening yet blue background, and a person in red parka barely discernible in lower left, and the Dark Sector buildings looking small off in the distance.
Ilya Bodo, IceCube/NSF
A fisheye view up toward the sky at the ceremonial Pole, with the flags in a semicircle about the pole marker.
Ilya Bodo, IceCube/NSF