] This photo is of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station ] taken every 15 minutes (if a relay satellite is available ] for transmission) from the roof of the Atmospheric ] Research Observatory which houses NOAA/CMDL's Clean Air ] Facility. In order to preserve the life of the camera, it ] is tilted down onto the snow when the sun is in the field ] of view, which occurs for several weeks around sunset ] (March) and sunrise (September) when the sun marches in a ] circle above the horizon. From mid-April until mid-August ] the moon and the aurora australis provide the only ] natural lighting. ] ] The new station, presently under construction, can be ] seen to the right in the photo; the old (circa 1973) ] domed station is to the left. The new station is elevated ] above the snow to prevent it being buried by the drifting ] snow (the present fate of the old domed station). When ] the new station is finished in about 2006, the old dome ] and buildings inside will be removed. The new galley ] (with windows!) is now being used for meals. The ] cylindrical object at the end of the station, fondly ] called the "beer can," is the entrance to the station. Telecommunications is so damn cool. South Pole Live Camera |