First Light and the First Signs of Winter

So last week we managed to get first light on SPT-3G!  The picture on the laptop shows the very first map of our calibration source (RCW38,  an ionized hydrogen region in the Milky Way).

Me & the very first map from SPT-3G. 

 

 

 

 

The SPT-3G first light map.

Since then, we've been working on getting the best performance possible out of the receiver, and making sure our winter personnel are up to speed on how things work.  Over the past few days, the temperature and windchill have dropped significantly.  It seems like this is a real change in the weather as the South Pole heads towards the winter season.  The last flight out of the station leaves on Feb 15, after that there are no flights until November.  My flight out is scheduled for tomorrow, so this will likely be my last post from the South Pole this year.  If everything goes to plan, on Saturday I'll be warming myself in the Christchurch botanical gardens.   From there I'm traveling a bit in New Zealand and then on to Fiji with some polar friends.

Leisure Options at the South Pole

So far, all my posts this year have been focused on building SPT-3G and the project.  That's a pretty fair summary of how I've been spending my time.  We've had a huge amount of work to accomplish and a very limited window to do it.  But once in a while, we do get time for some fun and relaxation.  So that brings me to leisure options at the South Pole.  

South Pole station is small, but it actually has a lot of options for time off.   There are a lot of activities, each organized by someone in the community.  This won't cover all of them, but includes a few of my favorites.   For example,  every Wednesday I try to go play volleyball.  

The wall of activities.

In addition to the big gym (where volleyball is) and a cardio/weight room (which I have been to exactly once to watch someone else work out while eating ice cream), there is a small climbing gym.  I am not a climber.  But I am told by people who are that it is pretty great for the small space.  Two of my co-workers, Kyle and Jessica, convinced me to come out with them to the climbing gym.  It's in its own little container building (heated) and smells a bit like socks.  But the floor is padded and they helped me set a 'beginner' route to try.  I will probably never be a climber based on my performance on this route, but it was a lot of fun.

The inside of the climbing gym.  Lots of routes!

 

Kyle spotting as Jessica rocks it!

Another activity that I have enjoyed is tourist watching.   Throughout the summer there have been many tourists that come through South Pole. That's right, for the low low price of about $50k per seat, you too can go to the South Pole for a few hours.  Most arrive by plane, although a few ski in or take 'alternative' transportation (fancy trucks, cars, bikes etc).  I enjoy watching the planes come in, and then the tourists shuffling over to the pole.  It's also fun when walking back from the telescope, because some times, I'll be watching the tourists watching me.   

Also, I enjoy watching the LC-130s land.  During December, we only had something like 3 flights for the entire month, so it was pretty special when they came.  But lately there have been multiple flights every day as the station gears up for winter, so they have become more routine.  On a clear day you can see the plane fairly far away.  Once it lands and drives down the runaway there is an enormous roar that fills the area.

Me, watching the tourists, watching me.  They generally aren't allowed to come into the station unless invited (although they often get an official station tour).  That little black building in the middle is an outhouse that is put by where they park their planes.

 Watching an NSF plane (LC130 Hercules) land,  when they come.

The station has two lounge areas where people can hang out, play some pool, watch movies, or grab a book from the library. 

The B2 lounge library.  This is the one I usually go to, as I'm often looking for a less intellectual book for my down time. The non-fiction library is downstairs.

One of the best places to relax is in the greenhouse.  The past two times I've been down here, the greenhouse was empty because it was being cleaned.  This year is completely different.  When you walk it, you are surrounded by a cloud of humidity and the smell of plants.  There is a small couch where you can sit and read, or even nap.

The sitting room in the green house.

The main portion of the greenhouse.

Beyond regularly scheduled activities, there are special activities, like the open house that SPT hosts every year.   We have chocolate and cheese, give people tours of the telescope, and then have a dance party.  It is quite the event.

The chocolate bar at the SPT open house!

 

The dance floor for the SPT open house (i.e., converted loading dock area with twinkly lights)!

At the end of December the second overland traverse arrived with more fuel for the station.  They hosted and open house, and as part of it, I got to drive one of the tractors.  I have to say, those are really nice machines.  At it's maximum speed of 7 mph, it was super smooth.

The tractor from SPOT 2 that I got to drive!