Week 21 at the Pole

Thursday, May 31, 2018 - 12:00pm

Staircase covered with thick layer of snow
Raffaela Busse, IceCube/NSF

Last time it was frosted glasses, now it’s a frosty staircase.  Blowing snow during the recent storms has left its mark on the staircase and platforms of the IceCube Lab (ICL).  At some point, that snow will need to be removed—but that’s for another day.  IceCube’s winterovers were glad not to have to go out to the ICL during the storm, but once the weather cleared, a number of chores lured them out there, where they got this great shot of the frosty staircase leading up into the starry sky.  The aurora showers were also happening last week—check out the cool patterns in the images below.

Aurora over ICL with very swirly shapes
Raffaela Busse, IceCube/NSF

Streaks of auroras over South Pole station
Raffaela Busse, IceCube/NSF

Aurora shower over flags at ceremonial South Pole
Raffaela Busse, IceCube/NSF