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Antarctica

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31 Photos

31 Photos

The aurora australis — the Southern Lights — as seen over the National Science Foundation's Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The eerie visual effect arises when charged particles blown off by the sun (the solar wind) are caught in the Earth's magnetic field and travel along the field lines, colliding with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation, Jonathan Berry.

The aurora australis — the Southern Lights — as seen over the National Science Foundation's Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The eerie visual effect arises when charged particles blown off by the sun (the solar wind) are caught in the Earth's magnetic field and travel along the field lines, colliding with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation, Jonathan Berry.

A full moon and 25 second exposure allowed sufficient light into this photo taken at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station during the long Antarctic night. The station appears at the far left, the power plant in the center, and the mechanic's garage in the lower right. Red lights are used outside during the winter darkness as their spectrum does not pollute the sky, allowing scientists to conduct astrophysical studies without artificial light interference. The background of green light is the aurora australis, which dances through the sky virtually all the time during the long Antarctic night (winter). The photo's surreal appearance makes the station look like a futuristic Mars Station. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation.

A full moon and 25 second exposure allowed sufficient light into this photo taken at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station during the long Antarctic night. The station appears at the far left, the power plant in the center, and the mechanic's garage in the lower right. Red lights are used outside during the winter darkness as their spectrum does not pollute the sky, allowing scientists to conduct astrophysical studies without artificial light interference. The background of green light is the aurora australis, which dances through the sky virtually all the time during the long Antarctic night (winter). The photo's surreal appearance makes the station look like a futuristic Mars Station. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation.

The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in the background, the ceremonial South Pole (candy stripe) in the center, and the actual geographic South Pole in the right foreground. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation.

The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in the background, the ceremonial South Pole (candy stripe) in the center, and the actual geographic South Pole in the right foreground. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation.

A view of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Even though built on stilts to prevent snow accumulation, some annual snow buildup does occur (about 20 cm (8 in) per year). The station can be elevated to prevent its becoming buried in the snow. In the foreground is the ceremonial South Pole and the flags for the original 12 signatory nations to the Antarctic Treaty. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation.

A view of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Even though built on stilts to prevent snow accumulation, some annual snow buildup does occur (about 20 cm (8 in) per year). The station can be elevated to prevent its becoming buried in the snow. In the foreground is the ceremonial South Pole and the flags for the original 12 signatory nations to the Antarctic Treaty. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation.

Buildings at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station have to be built on stilts at the South Pole to prevent snow buildup. Construction of the latest station began in 1999; dedication took place in 2008. The ceremonial South Pole and flags can be seen in the background, slightly to the left of center, below the tracks behind the buildings. The actual geographic South Pole is a few more meters to the left, next to the solitary flag. This photo dates to about 2005 and the close of construction, but before the buildings were clad in a final gray sheathing. The older domed station (now dismantled) is partially visible on the right. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation/ Bill Henriksen.

Buildings at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station have to be built on stilts at the South Pole to prevent snow buildup. Construction of the latest station began in 1999; dedication took place in 2008. The ceremonial South Pole and flags can be seen in the background, slightly to the left of center, below the tracks behind the buildings. The actual geographic South Pole is a few more meters to the left, next to the solitary flag. This photo dates to about 2005 and the close of construction, but before the buildings were clad in a final gray sheathing. The older domed station (now dismantled) is partially visible on the right. Image courtesy of the National Science Foundation/ Bill Henriksen.

The blue ice covering Lake Fryxell, in the Transantarctic Mountains, comes from glacial meltwater from the Canada Glacier and other smaller glaciers. Image courtesy of National Science Foundation.

The blue ice covering Lake Fryxell, in the Transantarctic Mountains, comes from glacial meltwater from the Canada Glacier and other smaller glaciers. Image courtesy of National Science Foundation.

Glaciers and rock outcrops in Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica during an Operation IceBridge flight - to monitor changes in Earth's polar ice caps - with a NASA DC-8 aircraft. Image courtesy of NASA/Michael Studinger.

Glaciers and rock outcrops in Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica during an Operation IceBridge flight - to monitor changes in Earth's polar ice caps - with a NASA DC-8 aircraft. Image courtesy of NASA/Michael Studinger.

LeMaire Channel between Booth Island and the Antarctic Peninsula.

LeMaire Channel between Booth Island and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Adelie penguins entering the ocean at Brown Bluff at the end of the Tabarin Peninsula.

Adelie penguins entering the ocean at Brown Bluff at the end of the Tabarin Peninsula.

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