There is one commonality between Dallas, Texas and the South Pole; both get to see 100 degree temperatures in July.But that will be 100 degrees below zero at the South Pole.Human flesh that is exposed to the cold can freeze in a matter of seconds.

Amazingly, twenty-eight people spend six months of their lives at the South Pole each year with virtually no contact with the rest of the world, no sunlight, and no way to get away.This group’s purpose is to maintain the U.S. polar base and to manage telescopes and other scientific instrumentation at the research station.Their job is beginning to change due to modern communications and advanced technology.

In the past, astronomers located in North America used satellites to operate the telescope at the South Pole observatory.It was the only time a telescope located at the South Pole had been manipulated from another continent.Eventually, it is hoped by astronomers that it will become unnecessary for people to have to man the South Pole stations at all, operating everything remotely instead.antarctica tours

The people who stay at the South Pole have to contend with the coldest, driest and windiest climates in the world.You will not find elevations as high as those in Antarctica anywhere else in the world. Due to this, breathing problems can also be an issue.Therefore, only plants and animals that have adapted to the cold can survive there, such as various algaes, tundra vegetation, seals, and penguins.

Those people who accept the challenge of working through the winter in Antarctica are known 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 do not talk much about what occurs between February, when winter begins, and October, when they are taken back to civilization.antarctic tours

One challenge faced by this crew is that the research program at the South Pole has continually grown and the research station is facing a great challenge in having a steady and consistent electrical supply.The station has three oil-burning generators but they have not been able to generate enough power to stay abreast of the increasing demands of computers, telescopes, lasers and other power intensive devices.This causes winter-overs to have to deal with insufficient power, in conjunction with cramped quarters and cold buildings.

They often turn to traditions to help pass the time.If there’s a day in which the outside temperature is more than 100 degrees below zero, you can join the “300 Club.”This is when winter-overs get the sauna temperatures up to 200 degrees.Then the run from the 200 degree sauna, out into the dangerous 100 degree air, and then back into the steaming water.

Airdrop is also a very greatly expected occurrence.In June, a National Guard plane from the U.S. military flies over the South Pole, bringing welcome supplies, food, and mail.It is the responsibility of the winter-overs to quickly use heavy equipment to get all the treats into the station.This is the closest winter-overs come to contact with the outside world for the entire six month winter.

In their stay in Antarctica, the winter-overs are never able to see a tree or go more than a mile from the pole.They look forward to the one week of vacation they get at McMurdo Station, a U.S. Antarctic base.The winter-overs will be able to enjoy balmy twenty-five degree weather during this time as they sun bath on the rock beach wearing nothing but t-shirts and jeans.