Week 49 at the Pole

Friday, December 20, 2019 - 10:00am

Side view, two people crouched outside at the south pole over a game of chess
Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF

Why are the winterovers playing chess out on the ice?  The answer might just be a question itself—why not?  Yes, it’s cold outside, but since there are many activities at the Pole that need to be done outdoors, you just can’t let the weather get in your way.  And at least it was sunny with clear skies. The fine weather also allowed some igloo builders to get creative.  The igloo’s inside was described as “one bedroom, no Wi-Fi, *relatively* warm.” Hmm, accurate enough.

Last week at the Pole there was a lot going on as usual.  There was work done on ice core logging, continued server updates in the IceCube Lab (ICL), equipment repairs, a tour of the ICL, and an outreach webcast.  And even with all that, a contingent of Badger football fans went out to take a group photo at the ceremonial Pole in support of the news that the UW–Madison team made it into the Rose Bowl this year.

Two people outside an igloo
Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF

inside view of igloo, with cots
Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF

Person in red parka looking down into an ice coring apparatus
Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF

group photo at ceremonial pole holding a "go Badgers" cardboard sign
Yuya Makino, IceCube/NSF