Polar Night

by alexcason • 3 years ago

247 24 3 years ago

focusedone2• 3 years ago

This blog is so fun. I love this author's eye for all of the fun details and what it's like to be a nerd working in an extremely unique place.

focusedone2• 3 years ago

Also in this blog post: * Space Laser * 'Only 40 days' of complete darkness. * Zombies

macintux• 3 years ago

Related (and linked from the bottom of the page) is a good description of what “sunset” looks like from the station and from the South Pole itself.

After the sun reaches its peak, it begins to set. It’s still rotating in perfect circles around the sky; they’re just getting lower and lower each day.

https://brr.fyi/posts/sunset

wferrell2• 3 years ago

What is the space laser / LIDAR for?

petercooper• 3 years ago

Not this project but possibly a similar type of thing: http://cires1.colorado.edu/science/groups/chu/projects/mcmur...

wferrell2• 3 years ago

Thanks!

cbsks• 3 years ago

There are a couple of different projects using LIDAR at the South Pole that are listed in the US Antarctic Program 2022-2023 Science Planning Summary: https://www.usap.gov/sciencesupport/scienceplanningsummaries...

ChrisMarshallNY2• 3 years ago

I just love this guy's posts.

I am glad to get such a great view of things, without going there, myself.

It's like photos of Svalbard. Cool to look at, but I really don't think I'm up for the jaunt in person.

As we get older, "bragging rights" tend to decline in importance (although "bucket list" is probably something that gains importance, and it can smell the same -the difference is that "bragging rights" face outwards).

icemelt82• 3 years ago

I think its a woman, but there is no info about them.

ChrisMarshallNY2• 3 years ago

Thanks for the heads-up. I read the about, and you’re right. There’s absolutely no hint of gender identity.

ricardobeat• 3 years ago

I remember many distinct moments walking under moonlight when I was a kid. At the family ranch, when visiting relatives in a very remote place, walking on the beach.

Sadly I think this is an experience very few people in this era will ever get to experience.

prawn• 3 years ago

I've competed in a sport that involves hiking through the night (24 hour events, always coinciding with a full moon) and I've also camped a lot, so I have dozens of strong memories like this. But like you said, for large parts of the world, this experience would be uncommon.

Walking through the night for the first time felt like one of those "life before x, life after x" things to experience. Almost as though you don't realise you're allowed to do it: raised to be in bed by a certain time, "you might fall off a cliff or get eaten by an animal". But then you do it and realise it's an option always available to you.

Mostly navigating with a headlamp but often just switching it off to walk with the moon alone if the terrain is clear or you're on a decent track. Strong shadows at 2am.

angelbar• 3 years ago

What Sport?... How can I live like that?... (I live in Mexico)

keyle• 3 years ago

Thanks to whoever posts this person's updates here, I really enjoy reading them. Getting these reports from someone who's POV is discovering it as if we would makes it really interesting.

SeanAnderson2• 3 years ago

I can only daydream of getting a website name so ideal as "brr.fyi" is for an informational blog about the south* pole. The content is superb, too, but "brr.fyi" is the most memorable domain I've encountered in years.

skykooler• 3 years ago

I agree, but this is the South Pole.

SeanAnderson2• 3 years ago

oops. You know, I thought to check before spouting off and then didn't. Edited my post, thanks.

icemelt82• 3 years ago

Why does the author go out of their way to hide their name/info anything? Is it because the work in Antarctica is of secret nature?

Turskarama• 3 years ago

Some people just like their privacy, and there's not much to gain from sharing their identity.

junon• 3 years ago

Great domain name, great article. It makes me want to spend a few nights there, honestly.

canjobear• 3 years ago

Amazingly the real thing has an even creepier vibe than the base in The Thing.

yencabulator• 3 years ago

Reality is too unbelievable to be represented in a movie about alien shapeshifting monsters trying to take over the planet.

kalyantm• 3 years ago

brr.fyi is quickly turning into my favourite blog!

fm2606• 3 years ago

It has turned into my favorite blog and the only one I subscribe to. I even went so far as to send them a note telling them how much I liked it.

I have no desire to go to the South Pole or any place that remote and secluded.

It will be interesting once this person finishes their contract and leaves what they will do. Hopefully they will continue documenting some aspect of their life as they have a great talent for writing.

Polar Night

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