More pictures from the RF domes and a few videos

Outstanding panoramic picture of the ceremonial South Pole flags along with the Milky Way galaxy and aurora. Photo credit: Martin Wolf

The following two pictures of the RF domes by Matt Smith.

An LMC tracked vehicle that I drove while the sun was still up. We have taken many trips to RF in the last few weeks. On one of the trips the wind was blowing directly in our face at over 25 mph. This was very dangerous to walk back to the station with so I called a friend Les on my radio who drove out and picked us up. The vehicles do not operate at under -73 but fortunately it was a bit warmer than that. When the wind blows the temperature increases. The following two videos show the ride back to the station. 

During a South Pole winter Christmas is celebrated in July!

The galley is decorated for Christmas.

Even the dishpit is decorated. 

Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in July with our Milky Way galaxy as a backdrop. Photo credit: Matt Smith

Working on a Satellite modem and the 4th of July

We walked out (about 3/4 mile) to the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) RF shed  a few days this week for testing with our Christchurch, New Zealand end terminal.  

DSCS and Skynet RF equipment.

DSCS antenna. Minus 90F inside the dome. It's nice to be inside the dome out of the wind.

Fully geared for the South Pole. Unfortunately goggles can not be used as they immediately fog. I do have a goggle with an exhaust fan but within a minute the fan freezes and stops.

A South Pole all American barbecue.

For the two vegetarians on station we had black bean burgers and tofu hot dogs.

A huge and delicious Independence Day cake. Thanks to Chef Zack.

We even had fresh greens - a real treat!

A fine dinner on the 4th - with black bean burger and tofu hot dog.

I added two of my past dogs Tobi (red collar) and Snugz towards the bottom sitting side by side. Directly to the right is my daughter Jocelyn with her dog Yaki on top of her.

I don't think my wife would do this!

We have been out to RF several times in the last two weeks for satellite link testing. 

The stairway up to the GOES dome.

When I wintered here in 2013 this Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) antenna was used to to track the GOES satellite as a South Pole communications system. A Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) replaced this system. Eventually DSCS will use this 30 foot dish antenna.

We walked out to RF again the last two days. Often the weather is warmer like this screenshot shows but the wind is up. 23 knots (27 mph) of wind doesn't seem like much in most of the world but at the South Pole it makes a walk quite miserable as the wind works its way through your layers of cold weather gear. 

When the wind is up the snow blows and visibility can drop to almost nothing. It makes finding the station red lights difficult. We've learned how to find our way back by the stars when visible. Even with the snow on the ground blowing by looking up you can occasionally track by the stars. 

There are two main entrances to the station. The "front" door is designated as Destination Alpha (DA). This side door/cargo door is Destination Zulu (DZ).