We've had a pretty cold March (I mean this relatively, for South Pole--not compared with a typical March in Tahiti, of course) with temps getting down to -80F and windchills below -100F. But it warmed up a little for today's photo.
For I think the first time in the 21 weeks I've been doing this, though, the skies were definitely not clear! There is a ton of snow blowing around, and it's a good thing the flag lines are in place, as they were definitely needed to find the telescopes today. First week when you can't see them at all, and not even because it's dark yet!
All the blowing snow is coating the station, and with no sun high in the sky to warm the siding and melt it off, the station looks pretty hard core (this photo taken as H and K and I walked back up to the station for lunch today). I mean, you'd think we were at the South Pole or something.
While it's interesting to see what things look like when it's blowing out like this, it's not good timing, as with the equinox on Sunday the sun is getting very close to setting, and we're missing it! So we're all VERY MUCH hoping that the wind calms down ASAP and things stay still for the next week or so, letting us watch our lovely sun disappear. How else are we to say a proper goodbye till September?
Luckily I at least got this shot a couple days ago of the sun getting lower and the trail of steam (let's call it steam and not pollution) from the power planet running right across its path. Keep your fingers crossed for calmer weather and more shots like this before we settle in for the long dark.
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