Week 19 at the Pole

The backside of the IceCube Lab under a starry and aurora-filled sky.
Martin Wolf, IceCube/NSF

It’s night at the South Pole—dark skies all the time, no sunlight for months—but that doesn’t mean there is no light. Last week, IceCube’s winterovers found clear skies with enough light from the stars and auroras overhead that they didn’t need to rely on their headlamps as they made their way to the IceCube Lab (pictured above). They trekked out there to take some measurements and do some troubleshooting. Afterward, they took a break in the snow (below), lying down to look up at the stars and Milky Way. Martin also took a selfie at the ceremonial Pole. Social activity also remained strong last week, as movies continued and a karaoke night in the galley was well attended.

Two winterovers lying on ground outside the IceCube Lab, looking up into sky with stars and Milky Way.
Martin Wolf, IceCube/NSF
Winteover standing with ski poles at the ceremonial Pole with Milky Way overhead.
Martin Wolf, IceCube/NSF