Longren Antarctic Newsletter #08 - 02.08.2023
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Dearest people,

I hope you have been well since I last wrote.
In the last half year, the seasons have changed
from summer to winter here in Antarctica, and 
now they are changing back to summer once more.

While during the summer season I worked in the 
cargo department, over the winter I worked in 
the lab supporting the science that is being 
conducted here. Mainly, my work involves
making sure that all of the devices (such as 
cameras, radios, and other light detectors) are
functioning properly. I've had a great time
doing so, in no small thanks to the beautiful 
scenery that Antarctica provides in the cold, 
dark winter months.

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April 23rd, 2:14pm
The last sunset for the winter.

Towards the poles of the Earth, a year really 
feels like it can be broken into two seasons: 
summer and winter. For Antarctica specifically,
summer runs from October until March and 
winter from April to September. Seeing the sun 
set for the last time is a big event, as it 
won't be seen again for four months.

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May 13th, 12:35pm
A view from the area where I work. In the 
distance, a crater is seen that houses a radio
antenna used to collect scientific data. Behind 
the clouds lies Mt. Erebus, a nearby volcano.

A majority of the projects that I take care of 
are sensitive to artificial light. They take 
advantage of the fact that, during the winter, 
Antarctica is in the dark around the clock. 
Then, the cameras take pictures constantly for 
over four months. Some of the topics of study 
include low-frequency radio wave propagation, 
gravity waves in the atmosphere, and auroras.
As I don't want to interfere with the cameras' 
data collection with headlights or flashlights, 
I conduct all of my work in the dark, including
driving up to the hut in complete darkness.
The moon is a good friend when it is out.

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May 29th, 12:26am
A view of the sky at its darkest. If you look 
closely above the hill, a laser pointing up can
be seen. At the base of the laser are the huts 
where I work, with atmospheric data collection 
being run around-the-clock by two scientists.

Another big event that happens in the winter 
at Antarctic stations is Midwinter, a name for 
the winter solstice which occured on June 21st 
this year. Every year, all of the stations 
around Antarctica send out greeting cards to 
each other. There's always a big dinner in 
celebration to cherish the time with fellow 
winterovers and mark the start of the sun's 
return back to the continent.

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midwinter greeting - Longren.jpg
The Midwinter greeting card from McMurdo Station
(top), along with my entry for the card (bottom)

In my eyes, the best part of wintering over in 
the polar regions is what's happening up above 
in the sky. While the sun is below the horizon 
for much of the season, the atmosphere bends
the light to provide seemingly day-long sunrise
and sunsets for months at a time. When the sun 
finally departs for good, the southern lights 
shine. Though, not too often! Where I am on the 
edge of the continent, we are within the ring 
of strong geomagnetic activity. Therefore, we 
don't get aurora strong enough to see too often.
Maybe once every few weeks I can catch them 
flickering in the sky. Into July and August, 
the sun is starting to return and with it the 
most beautiful polar clouds. I believe I've 
only seen them twice, but nacreous "mother of 
pearl" clouds are my favorite sky object to 
see appear.

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July 8th, 12:51pm
Polar stratospheric, or nacreous, clouds seen 
on a drive outside of town.

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July 17th, 12:40pm
Auroras at noon above the Crary lab.

Time has flown by. It's now August and I am 
planning redeployment back to the human side of
the world. I'm scheduled to leave the middle of 
October, at which point I'll be traveling 
New Zealand and the USA for a pair of months.
Afterward, I'll be back in Berlin for the start 
of the new year and who-knows-what then.

I will send out one final letter in October with 
more news, such as how pale I've gotten and what 
it's like to see the station's population double 
with a single incoming August flight (man, I am 
not ready to see so many people around here).
In the meantime, stay well.

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July 26th, 2:36pm

Thanks for reading.

Warmly,
Luke
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