Out and About in the Antarctic Winter
Last week I traversed out to Black Island again to do some maintenance on the Satellite Earth Station out there.
At noon a glow can be seen on the horizon to the north behind Mount Erebus. You don't really get to see this from back at McMurdo or Scott Base, as you are too close to the Mountain.
The lights of McMurdo and Scott Base can be seen in front of Mount Erebus. In the larger version of this picture a faint glow from the lava in the crater at the top of the mountain can be seen too. Some light green auroras are in the sky above the constellation of orion.
This photo of some light auroras over the Black Island Facility was taken at 11.30 in the morning
And this was the same view at 11.30 in the morning back in March
A view of the Ice ridges in front of Black Island, looking north in the middle of the day.
This was a 30 second exposure photograph.
I used my LED flashlight to illuminate the ice in the foreground by "painting" it with the white light.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After I got back to McMurdo, as few of us went out to the A-Frame for the weekend.
It is a small cabin Scott Base has out on the ice shelf, a nice place to get away for a bit of peace and quiet.
It takes about 20 minutes to drive there by hagglunds vehicle.
The temperatures out on the ice shelf were probably sitting at about -40 degrees with about 15 knots of wind.
We had a go at making some "light graffiti" a long exposure photo with moving light sources
At noon a glow can be seen on the horizon to the north behind Mount Erebus. You don't really get to see this from back at McMurdo or Scott Base, as you are too close to the Mountain.
The lights of McMurdo and Scott Base can be seen in front of Mount Erebus. In the larger version of this picture a faint glow from the lava in the crater at the top of the mountain can be seen too. Some light green auroras are in the sky above the constellation of orion.
This photo of some light auroras over the Black Island Facility was taken at 11.30 in the morning
And this was the same view at 11.30 in the morning back in March
A view of the Ice ridges in front of Black Island, looking north in the middle of the day.
This was a 30 second exposure photograph.
I used my LED flashlight to illuminate the ice in the foreground by "painting" it with the white light.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After I got back to McMurdo, as few of us went out to the A-Frame for the weekend.
It is a small cabin Scott Base has out on the ice shelf, a nice place to get away for a bit of peace and quiet.
It takes about 20 minutes to drive there by hagglunds vehicle.
The temperatures out on the ice shelf were probably sitting at about -40 degrees with about 15 knots of wind.
We had a go at making some "light graffiti" a long exposure photo with moving light sources
great photo of the word cold, i find it utterly clever. hope all is well, you know it was -4C in Hamilton yesterday
floss
Reply to this
Wow !
These pictures are amazing. Living out there in the cold must be a real challenge and need concrete passion for your job.
I've got a strong liking for Antarctica, maybe I'll go work there for a couple years someday, maybe I'll just go for a trip... I'm still studying -in sciences-, so I've got a lot of time to decide. Until then, I'll keep an eye on your blog. Makes me dream <3 keep it up !
Reply to this
I caught your name on TV last night, I've spent most of my morning watching your videos and looking at your amazing, wonderful images. I have lots of questions that can be answered elsewhere so I'll not bother you, but this one with the light writing I think only you can answer. The circles? Is that snow?
Reply to this
The photo was about a 15 second long exposure from memory, each person was holding a sparkler and moved it to spell out one letter each.
Reply to this
I am sorry... I did a horrid job in asking that question! I get the light writing.
I was looking at the blurry circles. Was wondering if it was snowing at the time or if those were just the camera/lighting fluke that sometimes happens.
Also, digital? or film? combo??
I'll not bother you further (maybe)... but I will be here watching and waiting for news and more pics!
It is another world! A beautiful one. I'm happy that its not me there and grateful that you share with me.
Reply to this
Ah yes, that is some of the blowing / light snow in the air caught in the camera flash.
It was a digital camera, long exposure to get the lettering and a little background detail, with a flash at the end that helped the people stand out clearly.
Reply to this