Tag Archives: darkness

A glow on the horizon

Alex writes: It is -74 Degrees Celsius... Welcome to Planet Concordia

Taken today, this photograph shows a brief glow that appeared on the horizon and predicts the return of the sun in the next few weeks, warming our hearts with a New Hope.  It was truly a magnificent feeling, but one that should be taken with caution.

Alexander Kumar in sunlight on 25 July 2012 Credit: ESA/IPEV/ENEAA/A. Kumar

Alexander Kumar in sunlight on 25 July 2012 Credit: ESA/IPEV/ENEA/A. Kumar

Concordia has been alone in the darkness for 3 months.

It kick-started our memories of daylight. Although the sun itself remains below the horizon, it provides a warming glow that broke the silent darkness over Concordia. And like the journey in Lord of the Rings, we were entering a new chapter in this trilogy, experiencing the most extreme transition between seasons that is available anywhere on our planet.

The first streaks of dawn paint the Antarctic sky on 25 July 2012 Credit: ESA/IPEV/ENEAA/A. Kumar

The first streaks of dawn paint the Antarctic sky on 25 July 2012 Credit: ESA/IPEV/ENEA/A. Kumar

Walking home from the outing with French Astronomer Guillaume Bouchez, featured in blue in the photos, one of my eyes froze closed - where the eyelids had frozen together. Typical, just when there is something to see!  But we have to be thankful, because at these temperatures your corneas (outer surface of the eye ball) can actually freeze, and that can be very severe indeed.

The glow only lasted for a short time, and soon the Sun retreated and sank further, deeper plunging us back into darkness. The moon swung up high providing a spotlight, behind Concordia, in an otherwise jet black starry polar night sky.

Still lots of night for several more weeks. Credit: ESA/IPEV/ENEAA/A. Kumar

Still lots of night for several more weeks. Credit: ESA/IPEV/ENEA/A. Kumar

Despite our false New Hope in the upcoming return of the Sun by mid August, the temperatures will plummet as we struggle through another difficult period over the coming months, but we will do so as a team.  Living down here in the world's most extreme environment, there is no other way.

Here comes the Sun.  Another two weeks... maybe three.  At last.

Sun's coming to Concordia Credit: ESA/IPEV/ENEAA/A. Kumar

Sun's coming to Concordia Credit: ESA/IPEV/ENEA/A. Kumar

 

Midwinter celebrates a midway point of sorts

Inside Twin Otter

In the plane to Concordia. Credits: A. Kumar

Alex writes: I will never forget my journey to Concordia. The flight over Antarctica involves a stop between Dumont Duville and Concordia to refuel. The refuelling stops are known as Midpoint A/B/C. You land in a blanket of white - all around you is a flat white horizon.

You climb out of the hatch of the 'Twin Otter' airplane and stammer around in the relative hypoxia (lack of oxygen).  Nothing survives there, it is just featureless ice. In a way it could have been heaven.  You know you are half way somewhere, but know you still have a long way to go.

Stopover on way to Concordia

Credits: A. Kumar

Midwinter feels like this.  We are half way into our wintering and period of darkness.

The next few months are going to be extremely difficult - our reserves are running low and the effects of the darkness and isolation will take more of a hold on the crew.

Outside Concordia in the dark

Outside Concordia. Credits: A. Kumar

We hit a high crescendo with midwinter celebrations, but the road ahead looks long and icy.  The real test is yet to come.  We have to remain a team.  Only a team can survive in such extreme conditions.  Everyone has their crucial role on the base.

To say thank you to the crew for taking part in the ESA research programme I got the Austrian research group 'ISOSTRESS' to send me T-shirts before I came out to Antarctica.  The T-shirts bare the famous British motto 'Keep calm and carry on'.  In Concordia you feel like you are fighting a battle for oxygen, for sleep, for survival.  This is nature at its most extreme.  It tests your mind and body.

This has become our crew's motto, endorsing this belief and attitude.

Keep calm and carry on! Concordia team photo.

Now it is back to business as usual.  For me that is science.  Over the coming weeks I will introduce you to not only my science and work, but also to my fellow crew members and their important, if vital, roles on the base - from the mechanic to the electrician to the plumber to the glaciologist and more!   I hope to show you elements of the station and the way it works.

Feel free to add comments and questions.  I will be happy to answer them and maybe we can all learn something along the way!

Here is to the next 5 months... if you are ever in doubt... do as we do, KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!