Do you know what Dallas, USA and the South Pole have in common? Believe it or not, they both see 100 degree temperatures in July.However, the difference between the two is that you experience negative 100 degrees at the South Pole.Think about it this way, it will be sufficiently cold to freeze 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.As a crew they work to maintain the U.S. polar base and operate telescopes and other scientific devices located at the research station.Their job is beginning to change due to modern communications and advanced technology.

Astronomers in North America can remotely operate the telescope in the observatories of the South Pole.Never before this had a telescope at the South Pole been operated from a different continent.The hope is that astronomers will someday be able to use the telescope from the comfort of the warm, comfortable, regular office.antarctica tours

The people who commit to staying at the South Pole have to contend with the coldest, driest, and windiest conditions on this planet.Antarctica has a higher elevation than any other continent which can complicate even the seemingly simple job of breathing.Therefore, only plants and animals that have adapted to the cold can survive there, such as various algaes, tundra vegetation, seals, and penguins.

The people who accept the challenge of working through a winter in Antarctica are referred to as “winter-overs.”The things that keep this team going are the wide range of videos, a small exercise room, computers, a pool table, wonderful food, and traditions.Winter-overs are reluctant to discuss what occurs between when the station closes in February and when the military plane returns them to civilization in October.antarctica holiday

The notable expansion of the research program at the South Pole has resulted in a constant problem regarding a shortage of electrical power. The computers, telescopes, lasers and other electrical powered equipment use more energy than the station’s three oil-burning generators are able to produce.This means that winter-overs have to deal with insufficient power, in addition to cramped quarters and cold buildings.

They often turn to traditions to help pass the time.In order to be part of the “300 Club,” there needs to be temperatures less than 100 degrees below zero.This is when winter-overs get the sauna temperatures up to 200 degrees.Then they run from the sauna out into the 100 degree air and back.

The also look forward to the airdrop.This occurs in June. It is when the U.S. Air National Guard flies over the south pole in a military transport plane to drop pallets of food, mail, and other supplies.Quickly the winter-overs go outside to utilize heavy equipment and bring the goodies inside the station.This is the closest winter-overs come to contact with the outside world for the entire six month winter.

They are not able to see a tree or travel more than a mile from the pole throughout their stay.But everyone is provided a one week vacation at McMurdo Station, which is the main U.S. Antarctic base.While on vacation, the winter-overs can enjoy camping and frolicking on the rocky beach in jeans and t-shirts in the relatively warm 25-degree weather.

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