There are many places in the US that will encounter 100 degree temperatures in July. And while the South Pole also will hit 100 degrees in July, it will be 100 degrees below zero. Colder than any deep-freezer, this temperature can instantly freeze any exposed skin in mere seconds.
Twenty-eight brave people live at the South Pole for six months each year, sacrificing sunlight, most communication with the rest of the world, and the possibility of escaping the area. These people are responsible for maintaining the U.S. polar base and to operate telescopes and other types of scientific equipment at the research station. Their jobs are being changed by advancements in communications and technology.
Astronomers of North America until now have employed satellite communications to work the South Pole observatory's telescope. This made history as the first time a South Pole telescope was controlled from another continent. The hope is that astronomers will someday be able to use the telescope from the comfort of the warm, comfortable, regular office.
Those who work in Antarctica have to contend with one of the harshest environments on Earth. With the elevations here being higher than anywhere else on the planet, they also have to deal with breathing issues. These conditions make it so only cold-adapted plants and animals can live here. Animals like seals and penguins. Plants like certain forms of algae and tundra vegetation.
The people who accept the challenge of working through a winter in Antarctica are referred to as "winter-overs." They have the privileges of a large variety of videos, a small exercise room, computers, a pool table and fabulous food. Winter-overs do not talk much about what occurs between February, when winter begins, and October, when they are taken back to civilization.
With the huge expansions of the research program at the South Pole there have been continuous power shortages. There are only three oil-burning generators to power everything, including computers, lights, telescopes, lasers, and other electrical devices. Winter-overs have to deal with the power outages that occur as a result of this, which doesn't help the cold.
Various traditions are used by winter-overs to help pass the time. One of these traditions is the "300 Club". A 100 degree below temperature is required for this club. The members heat the sauna up to 200 degrees. Then they race from the 200 degree sauna out into the minus 100 degree air, and back again.
Winter-overs also look forward to the airdrop. This happens in June when the U.S. Air National Guard use a military transport plane to drop pallets of food, mail, and supplies to the people at the South Pole. The winter-overs anxiously bring their treasures into the station with the help of heavy equipment. This is the closest winter-overs come to contact with the outside world for the entire six month winter.
For the full six months that they are there, they will not view a tree or wander more than one mile from the pole. The winter-overs also get to look forward to a one week's vacation at McMurdo Station, a primary U.S. Antarctic base. The winter-overs will be able to enjoy balmy twenty-five degree weather during this time as they sun bath on the rock beach wearing nothing but t-shirts and jeans.
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