View source for Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station

{{Short description|US scientific research station at the South Pole, Antarctica}}
{{About|the United States Antarctic base|the New Zealand Antarctic base|Scott Base}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Amundsen–Scott Station
| official_name            = Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station
| native_name              = 
| native_name_lang         = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| settlement_type          = [[Research stations in Antarctica|Antarctic base]]
| image_skyline            = Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station 01.jpg
| imagesize                = 300px
| image_caption            = The Amundsen–Scott Station in 2018. In the foreground is Destination Alpha, one of the two main entrances.
| image_flag               = National Science Foundation Antarctic Program Flag (White Variant).svg
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| map_caption              = A map of Antarctica showing the location of the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station (circled)
| pushpin_map              = Antarctica
| pushpin_map_alt          = Location of Amundsen–Scott Station in Antarctica
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location of Amundsen–Scott Station at the [[South Pole]] in [[Antarctica]]
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| coordinates              = {{Coord|90|S|0|E|region:AQ|display=inline,title}}
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| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = Location in {{ATA}}
| subdivision_name1        = [[South Pole|Geographic South Pole]], [[Antarctic Plateau]]
| subdivision_type2        = 
| subdivision_name2        = 
| subdivision_type3        = Administered by
| subdivision_name3        = [[United States Antarctic Program]] by the [[National Science Foundation]]
| established_title        = Established
| established_date         = {{start date|1956|11|df=y}}
| extinct_title            = Evacuated
| extinct_date             = 
| named_for                = [[Roald Amundsen]] and [[Robert Falcon Scott|Robert F. Scott]]
| founder                  = 
| seat_type                = 
| seat                     = 
| government_footnotes     = 
| leader_party             = 
| leader_title             = 
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| unit_pref                = Metric
| area_footnotes           = 
| dimensions_footnotes     = 
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="comnap-catalogue"/><ref name=aasps/>
| elevation_m              = 2835
| population_as_of         = 2017
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="comnap-catalogue">{{cite report |type=catalogue |url=https://www.comnap.aq/s/COMNAP_Antarctic_Station_Catalogue.pdf |title=Antarctic Station Catalogue |date=August 2017 |publisher=[[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs]] |isbn=978-0-473-40409-3 |page=145 |access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022102847/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61073506e9b0073c7eaaf464/t/611497cc1ece1b43f0eeca8a/1628739608968/COMNAP_Antarctic_Station_Catalogue.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=aasps/>
| population_total         = 
| population_blank1_title  = Summer
| population_blank1        = 150
| population_blank2_title  = Winter
| population_blank2        = 49
| population_density_km2   = 
| population_note          = 
| population_demonym       = 
| timezone1                = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]]
| utc_offset1              = +12
| timezone1_DST            = [[Time in New Zealand|NZDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST          = +13
| blank_name_sec1          = Type
| blank_info_sec1          = All year-round
| blank1_name_sec1         = Period
| blank1_info_sec1         = Annual
| blank2_name_sec1         = Status
| blank2_info_sec1         = Operational
| blank_name_sec2          = Activities
| blank_info_sec2          = {{Collapsible list |bullets=on |Glaciology |Geophysics |Seismology |Astrophysics |Astronomy |Biology}}
| blank1_name_sec2         = Facilities<ref name=aasps>{{cite web |url=https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/support/southp.jsp |title=Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station |work=Geosciences: Polar Programs |publisher=[[National Science Foundation]] |access-date=July 11, 2016}}</ref><ref name=aasps2>{{cite web |url= https://nsf.gov/news/mmg/mmg_disp.jsp?med_id=58581 |title=Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station Hydroponic Greenhouse |work=Giosciences: Polar Programs |publisher=[[National Science Foundation]] |access-date=May 31, 2022}}</ref>
| blank1_info_sec2         = {{Collapsible list|bullets=on|[[Jack F. Paulus Skiway]]|Accommodation|Atmospheric Research Observatory|Martin A. Pomerantz Observatory for astrophysics|Computer systems for research and communication|Collection of the longest continuous set of meteorological data from Antarctica|Astronomy and astrophysics|A small biomedical research facility|Hydroponic Greenhouse|Other areas of interest include glaciology, geophysics and seismology, ocean and climate systems, astrophysics, astronomy, and biology.}}
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| code1_name               = [[UN/LOCODE]]
| code1_info               = AQ AMS
| website                  = {{nowrap|{{URL|https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/support/southp.jsp|Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station}}}}
| footnotes                = 
}}

The '''Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station''' is a [[science and technology in the United States|United States scientific research station]] at the [[South Pole]] of the Earth. It is the [[List of extreme points of the United States|southernmost point]] under the [[jurisdiction]] (not [[sovereignty]]) of the United States. The station is located on the high [[Antarctic Plateau|plateau]] of [[Antarctica]] at {{convert|2,835
|m|ft|order=flip}} above [[sea level]]. It is administered by the Office of Polar Programs of the [[National Science Foundation]], specifically the [[United States Antarctic Program]] (USAP). It is named in honor of Norwegian [[Roald Amundsen]] and Briton [[Robert Falcon Scott|Robert F. Scott]], who led separate teams that raced to become the first to the pole in the early 1900s.

The original Amundsen–Scott Station was built by [[Seabee|Navy Seabees]] for the [[federal government of the United States]] during November&nbsp;1956, as part of its commitment to the [[Science|scientific]] goals of the [[International Geophysical Year]], an effort lasting from January&nbsp;1957 to June&nbsp;1958 to study, among other things, the [[geophysics]] of the [[polar regions of Earth]].

Before November&nbsp;1956, there was no permanent artificial structure at the pole, and practically no human presence in the interior of Antarctica. The few scientific stations in Antarctica were near its coast. The station has been continuously occupied since it was built and has been rebuilt, expanded, and upgraded several times.

The station is the only inhabited place on the surface of the Earth from which the Sun is continuously visible for six months; it is then continuously dark for the next six months, with approximately two days of averaged dark and light, twilight, namely the equinoxes. These are, in observational terms, called one extremely long "day" and one equally long "night". During the six-month "day", the angle of elevation of the Sun above the [[horizon]] varies incrementally. The Sun reaches a rising position throughout the [[September equinox]], and then it is apparent highest at the [[December solstice]] which is [[summer solstice]] for the south, setting on the [[March equinox]].

During the six-month polar night, air temperatures can drop below {{cvt|-73|°C|}} and [[blizzard]]s are more frequent. Between these storms, and regardless of the weather for wavelengths unaffected by drifting snow, the roughly {{frac|5|3|4}} months of ample darkness and dry atmosphere make the station an excellent site for [[astronomical observation]]s.

The number of scientific researchers and members of the support staff housed at the Amundsen–Scott Station has always varied seasonally, with a peak population of around 150 in the summer operational season from October to February. In recent years the wintertime population has been around 50 people.

==Structures==

===Original station (1957–2010)===
[[Image:Geographic Southpole crop.jpg|thumb|left|Geographic South Pole]]
The original South Pole station is now referred to as "Old Pole".

The station was constructed by U.S. Navy [[Seabee]]s led by [[LTJG]] Richard Bowers, the eight-man Advance Party being transported by the [[VX-6]] Air Squadron in two [[R4D]]s on November&nbsp;20, 1956. The U.S. [[Eighteenth Air Force]]'s [[C-124 Globemaster&nbsp;II]]s [[airdrop]]ped most of the equipment and building material. The buildings were constructed from [[prefabrication|prefabricated]] four-by-eight-foot [[modular design|modular panels]]. Exterior surfaces were {{convert|4|inch|cm|spell=in}} thick, with an aluminum interior surface, and a plywood exterior surface, sandwiching [[Glass wool|fiberglass]]. Skylights were the only windows in flat uniform roof levels, while buildings were connected by a [[burlap]] and [[chicken wire]] covered tunnel system. The last of the construction crew departed on January&nbsp;4, 1957. The first wintering-over party consisted of eight [[International Geophysical Year|IGY]] scientists led by [[Paul Siple]] and eight Navy support men led by LTJG John Tuck. Key components of the camp included an astronomical observatory, a [[Rawinsonde|Rawin Tower]], a [[weather balloon]] inflation shelter, and a {{convert|1000|ft|m|adj=on}} snow tunnel with pits for a [[seismometer]] and [[magnetometer]].  The lowest average temperatures recorded by the group were in the range {{convert|-90|F|C}} to {{convert|-99|F|C}}, though as Siple points out, "even at {{convert|-60|F|C}} I had seen men spitting blood because the [[capillaries]] of the [[bronchial]] tract frosted".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Siple|first1=Paul|title=90° South|url=https://archive.org/details/90southstoryoft00sipl|url-access=registration|date=1959|publisher=G.P. Putnam's Sons|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/90southstoryoft00sipl/page/158 158], 164, 168–169, 175–177, 192–193, 198, 239–240, 293, 303, 370–371}}</ref>

On January&nbsp;3, 1958, Sir [[Edmund Hillary]]'s team from New Zealand, part of the [[Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition]], reached the station over land from [[Scott Base]], followed shortly by Sir [[Vivian Fuchs]]' British scientific component.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/edmund-hillary-antarctica |title=Edmund Hillary in Antarctica |website=New Zealand History |publisher=[[New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |access-date=March 31, 2016}}</ref>

The buildings of Old Pole were assembled from prefabricated components delivered to the South Pole by air and airdropped. They were originally built on the surface, with covered wood-framed walkways connecting the buildings. Although snow accumulation in open areas at the South Pole is approximately {{convert|8|in|cm}} per year, wind-blown snow accumulates much more quickly in the vicinity of raised structures. By 1960, three years after the construction of the station, it had already been buried by {{convert|6|feet}} of snow.<ref name="oldpole">{{cite book |last1=Barna |first1=Lynette |last2=Courville |first2=Zoe |last3=Rand |first3=John |last4=Delaney |first4=Allan |title=Remediation of Old South Pole Station, Phase I: Ground-Penetrating-Radar Surveys |date=July 2015 |publisher=U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center |location=Hanover, NH |url=http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/search/asset/1044471 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-date=October 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011120123/http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/search/asset/1044471 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The station was abandoned in 1975 and became deeply buried, with the pressure causing the mostly wooden roof to cave in. The station was demolished in December&nbsp;2010, after an equipment operator fell through the structure doing snow stability testing for the National Science Foundation (NSF).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/south-poles-first-building-blown-up-after-53-years |title=South Pole's first building blown up after 53 years |website=OurAmazingPlanet.com |date=March 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>[https://www.livescience.com/13497-south-pole-station-exploded-antarctica.html South Pole's First Building Blown Up After 53 Years], ''livescience.com'', 2011</ref> The area was being vetted for use as a campground for NGO guests.

===Dome (1975–2010)===
The station was moved in 1975 to the newly constructed [[Buckminster Fuller]] [[geodesic dome]] {{convert|50|m|ft|sp=us|order=flip}} wide by {{convert|16|m|ft|sp=us|order=flip}} high, with {{convert|14|x|24|m|ft|order=flip}} steel archways. One served as the entry to the dome and it had a transverse arch that contained [[modular building]]s for the station's maintenance, fuel bladders, power plant, snow melter, equipment and vehicles. Individual buildings within the dome contained the dorms, galley, recreational center, post office and labs for monitoring the upper and lower atmosphere and numerous other complex projects in [[astronomy]] and [[astrophysics]]. The station also included the Skylab, a box-shaped tower slightly taller than the dome. Skylab was connected to the Dome by a tunnel. The Skylab housed atmospheric sensor equipment and later a music room.

During the 1970–1974 summers, the Seabees constructing the dome were housed in [[Korean War]] era [[Jamesway hut]]s. A hut consists of a wooden frame with a raised platform covered by canvas tarp. A double-doored vestibule was at each end. Although heated, the heat was not sufficient to keep them habitable during the winter. After several burned during the 1976–1977 summer, the construction camp was abandoned and later removed.

However, in the 1981–1982 season, extra civilian seasonal personnel were housed in a group of Jamesways known as the "summer camp". Initially consisting of only two huts, the camp grew to 11 huts housing about 10 people each, plus two recreational huts with bathroom and gym facilities. In addition, a number of science and berthing structures, such as the hypertats and elevated dormitory, were added in the 1990s, particularly for astronomy and astrophysics.

During the period in which the dome served as the main station, many changes to United States South Pole operation took place. From the 1990s on, astrophysical research conducted at the South Pole took advantage of its favorable atmospheric conditions and began to produce important scientific results. Such experiments include the Python, [[Viper telescope|Viper]], and [[Degree Angular Scale Interferometer|DASI]] telescopes, as well as the {{convert|10|m|in|order=flip|adj=on}} [[South Pole Telescope]]. The DASI telescope has since been decommissioned and its mount used for the [[BICEP and Keck Array|Keck Array]].<ref name=KAO>{{cite web |title=Keck Array Overview |url=http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/CMB/keckarray/ |website=[[Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics]] |publisher=National Science Foundation |access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> The [[Antarctic Muon And Neutrino Detector Array|AMANDA]] / [[IceCube Neutrino Observatory|IceCube]] experiment makes use of the two-mile (3&nbsp;km)-thick ice sheet to detect [[neutrino]]s which have passed through the earth. An observatory building, the [[Martin A. Pomerantz]] Observatory (MAPO), was dedicated in 1995. The importance of these projects changed the priorities in station operation, increasing the status of scientific cargo and personnel.

The 1998–1999 summer season was the last year that [[VXE-6]] with its [[Lockheed LC-130]]s serviced the U.S. Antarctic Program. Beginning in 1999–2000, the [[New York Air National Guard]] [[109th Airlift Wing]] took responsibility for the daily cargo and passenger flights between [[McMurdo Station]] and the South Pole during the summer.

During the winter of 1988 a loud crack was heard in the dome. Upon investigation it was discovered that the foundation base ring beams were broken due to being overstressed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/features/contentHandler.cfm?id=1985 |title=News about Antarctica - Deconstruction of the Dome (page 2) |website=[[The Antarctic Sun]] |publisher=United States Antarctic Program |access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

The dome was dismantled in late 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://antarcticsun.usap.gov/features/contenthandler.cfm?id=1984 |title=News about Antarctica - Deconstruction of the Dome (page 1) |website=The Antarctic Sun |publisher=United States Antarctic Program |access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref> It was crated and given to the Seabees. They have it in storage at [[Port Hueneme]], California. The center [[oculus (architecture)|oculus]] is suspended in a display at the Seabee Museum there.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.jpg|The main entrance to the former [[geodesic dome]] ramped down from the surface level. The base of the dome was originally at the surface level of the ice cap, but the base had been slowly buried by snow and ice.
File:pole-from-air.jpg|An aerial view of the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station taken in about 1983. The central dome is shown along with the arches, with various storage buildings, and other auxiliary buildings such as garages and hangars.
File:South Pole Dome From Station.JPG|The dome in January 2009, as seen from the new elevated station.
Image:Ceremonial South Pole.jpg|Ceremonial South Pole (the dome in the background was dismantled in 2009–2010).
File:South pole dome deconstruction.jpeg|January 2010: The last section of the old dome, before it was removed the next day.
</gallery>

===Elevated station (2008–present)===
In 1992, the design of a new station began for an {{cvt|7400|m2|sqft|order=flip}} building with two floor levels that cost [[United States dollar|US$]]150 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/budget/08_budget/fy08_southpole.pdf |title=FY 2008 NSF Budget Request to Congress |website=National Science Foundation |access-date=November 8, 2009}}</ref> Construction began in 1999, adjacent to the Dome. The facility was officially dedicated on January 12, 2008, with a ceremony that included the de-commissioning of the old Dome station.<ref>{{cite web |title=A New Era |url=http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/science/contenthandler.cfm?id=1315 |website=The Antarctic Sun |publisher=United States Antarctic Program |date=May 1, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2009}}</ref> The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries flown in specifically for the day, including [[National Science Foundation]] Director [[Arden L. Bement, Jr.|Arden Bement]], scientist [[Susan Solomon]] and other government officials.  The entirety of building materials to complete the build of the new South Pole Station were flown in from McMurdo Station by the [[Lockheed LC-130|LC-130 Hercules]] aircraft and the 139th Airlift Squadron Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, New York. Each plane brought {{Convert|26000|lb|kg}} of cargo each flight with the total weight of the building material being {{Convert|24000000|lb|kg}}.<ref>{{cite web|last=West|first=Peter|date=|title=National Science Foundation|url=https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=110961|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-12|website=National Science Foundation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215134846/http://www.nsf.gov:80/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=110961 |archive-date=February 15, 2008 }}</ref>

The new station included a modular design, to accommodate rises in population, and an adjustable [[elevation]] to prevent it from being buried in snow. Since roughly {{convert|20|cm|in|0|order=flip}} of snow accumulates every year without ever thawing,<ref name="sub-zero tech episode">{{cite episode |title=Sub-Zero Tech |series=[[Modern Marvels]] |network=[[History (U.S. TV channel)|History Channel]] |date=February 23, 2005 |season=12 |number=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/stis1993/opp93103/opp93103.txt |title=Initial Environmental Evaluation Development of Blue-Ice and Compacted-Snow Runways in support of the U.S. Antarctic Program |website=National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs |date=April 9, 1993}}</ref> the building's designers included rounded corners and edges around the structure to help reduce snow drifts. The building faces into the wind with a sloping lower portion of wall. The angled wall increases the wind speed as it flows under the buildings, and passes above the snow-pack, causing the snow to be scoured away. This prevents the building from being quickly buried. Wind tunnel tests show that scouring will continue to occur until the snow level reaches the second floor.

Because snow gradually settles over time under its own weight, the foundations of the building were designed to accommodate substantial differential settling over any one wing in any one line or any one column. If differential settling continues, the supported structure will need to be jacked up and re-leveled. The facility was designed with the primary support columns outboard of the exterior walls so that the entire building can be jacked up a full floor level. During this process, a new section of column will be added over the existing columns then the jacks pull the building up to the higher elevation.{{Citation needed |date=May 2016}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:SPSM.05.jpg|An aerial view of the Amundsen–Scott Station in January 2005. The older domed station is visible on the right-hand side of this photo.
File:Amundsen-scott-south pole station 2007.jpg|The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station during the 2007–2008 summer season.
File:Amundsen-Scott marsstation ray h edit.jpg|A photo of the station at night. The new station can be seen in the far left, the [[electric power]] plant is in the center, and the old vehicle mechanic's garage in the lower right. The green light in the sky is part of the [[Aurora|aurora australis]].
</gallery>

==Operation==
During the summer the station population is typically around 150. Most personnel leave by the middle of February, leaving a few dozen (39 in 2021) "winter-overs", mostly support staff plus a few scientists, who keep the station functional through the months of Antarctic night. The winter personnel are isolated between mid-February and late October. Wintering-over presents notorious dangers and [[stress (biology)|stresses]], as the station population is almost totally isolated. The station is completely self-sufficient during the winter, and powered by three generators running on [[JP-8]] jet fuel. An annual tradition is a back-to-back-to-back viewing of [[The Thing from Another World|''The Thing from Another World'' (1951)]], [[The Thing (1982 film)|''The Thing'' (1982)]], and [[The Thing (2011 film)|''The Thing'' (2011)]] after the last flight has left for the winter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/aroundTheContinent/contentHandler.cfm?id=1602 |title=South Pole enters winter with crew of 44 people |first=Marie |last=McLane |date=March 8, 2013 |website=The Antarctic Sun |publisher=United States Antarctic Program |access-date=February 26, 2014}}</ref>

Research at the station includes [[glaciology]], [[geophysics]], [[meteorology]], [[Atmosphere|upper atmosphere physics]], [[astronomy]], [[astrophysics]], and [[biomedicine|biomedical]] studies. In recent years, most of the winter scientists have worked for the [[IceCube Neutrino Observatory]] or for low-frequency astronomy experiments such as the [[South Pole Telescope]] and [[BICEP and Keck Array#BICEP2|BICEP2]]. The low temperature and low moisture content of the polar air, combined with the altitude of over {{convert|9000|ft|m}}, causes the air to be far more transparent on some frequencies than is typical elsewhere, and the months of darkness permit sensitive equipment to run constantly.
[[File:Dark Sector Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station.jpg|thumb|Dark Sector Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station]]
There is a small greenhouse at the station. The variety of vegetables and herbs in the greenhouse, which range from fresh [[eggplant]] to [[jalapeños]], are all produced [[hydroponics|hydroponically]], using only water and nutrients and no soil. The greenhouse is the only source of fresh fruit and vegetables during the winter.

===Transportation===
{{Main|Jack F. Paulus Skiway}}
The station has a runway for aircraft {{Airport codes||NZSP||}}, {{convert|3658|m|ft|order=flip|sigfig=2}} long. Between October and February, there are several flights per day of U.S. Air Force ski-equipped [[Lockheed LC-130]] Hercules aircraft from the New York Air National Guard, 109 AW, 139AS Stratton Air National Guard via [[McMurdo Station]] to supply the station.  Resupply missions are collectively termed [[Operation Deep Freeze]].

There is a snow road over the ice sheet from McMurdo, the [[South Pole Traverse|McMurdo-South Pole highway]], which is {{convert|995|mi|km}} long.

===Communication===
{{Further|Telecommunications in Antarctica}}
[[File:Comms office.png|thumb|upright=1.4|The communication office at the South Pole]]
Data access to the station is provided by [[NASA]]'s [[Tracking and data relay satellite|TDRS]]-4 (non operational), 5 (not radio link to 90°), and 6 (not radio link to 90°) satellites: the [[United States Department of Defense|DOD]] [[Defense Satellite Communications System|DSCS]]-3 satellite, and the commercial [[Iridium satellite constellation]]. For the 2007–2008 season, the TDRS relay (named South Pole TDRSS Relay or SPTR) was upgraded to support a data return rate of 50 [[Mbit/s]], which comprises over 90% of the data return capability.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southpolestation.com/news/news.html |title=South Pole - News |website=Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station |access-date=November 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://msp.gsfc.nasa.gov/SPTR/ |title=South Pole TDRSS Relay (SPTR) |journal=Astrophysics from Antarctica |volume=141 |pages=319 |date=September 1, 2000 |access-date=November 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525205631/http://msp.gsfc.nasa.gov/SPTR/ |archive-date=May 25, 2009 |df=mdy|bibcode=1998ASPC..141..319I |last1=Israel |first1=D. J. }}</ref> The TDRS-1 satellite formerly provided services to the station, but it failed in October 2009 and was subsequently decommissioned. [[Marisat]] and [[Lincoln Experimental Satellite|LES9]] were also formerly used. In July 2016, the GOES-3 satellite was decommissioned due to it nearing the end of its supply of propellant and was replaced by the use of the DSCS-3 satellite, a [[military communications satellite]]. DSCS-3 can provide a 30 MB/s data rate compared to GOES-3's 1.5 MB/s. DSCS-3 and TDRS-4, 5, and 6 are used together to provide the main communications capability for the station. These satellites provide the data uplink for the station's scientific data as well as provide broadband internet and telecommunications access. Only during the main satellite events is the station's telephone system able to dial out. The commercial Iridium satellite is used when the TDRS and DSCS satellites are all out of range to give the station limited communications capability during those times. During those times, telephone calls may only be made on several Iridium satellite telephone sets owned by the station. The station's IT system also has a limited data uplink over the Iridium network, which allows emails less than 100 KB to be sent and received at all times and small critical data files to be transmitted. This uplink works by bonding the data stream over 12 voice channels. Non-commercial and non-military communication has been provided by amateur [[Amateur radio|ham radio]] using primarily HF SSB links today but [[Morse code]] and other modes have been used, partly in experiments and mainly in bolstering [[esprit de corps]] and hobby-type uses.  The USA sector has the amateur [[radio call sign]] prefix run of KC4 and AT; whereas Soviet/Russian stations are known to use 4K1 and others.  The popularity of the hobby during the 1950-80s era saw many ham exchanges between South Polar ham stations and enthusiastic ham operators contacting there from world-wide locations. Over the years, ham radio has established needed emergency communication to Polar base personnel as well as recreational uses.{{Citation needed |date=May 2023}}

===Astrophysics experiments at the station===

'''Cosmic Microwave Background Telescopes'''
* Python Telescope (1992–1997),<ref name=CARASO>{{cite web |title=CARA Science: Overview |url=http://astro.uchicago.edu/cara/research/overview.html |website=University of Chicago Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810042216/http://astro.uchicago.edu/cara/research/overview.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> used to observe temperature anisotropies in the [[cosmic microwave background]] (CMB).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Coble |first1=K. |last2=Dragovan |first2=M. |last3=Kovac |first3=J. |last4=Halverson |first4=N. W. |last5=Holzapfel |first5=W. L. |last6=Knox |first6=L. |last7=Dodelson |first7=S. |last8=Ganga |first8=K. |last9=Alvarez |first9=D. |last10=Peterson |first10=J. B. |last11=Griffin |first11=G. |last12=Newcomb |first12=M. |last13=Miller |first13=K. |last14=Platt |first14=S.R. |last15=Novak |first15=G. |title=Anisotropy in the Cosmic Microwave Background at Degree Angular Scales: Python V Results |journal=[[The Astrophysical Journal]] |date=July 1, 1999 |volume=519 |issue=1 |pages=L5–L8 |doi=10.1086/312093 |arxiv=astro-ph/9902195|bibcode=1999ApJ...519L...5C |s2cid=12276808 }}</ref>
* [[Viper telescope]] (1997–2000), used to observe temperature [[Anisotropy|anisotropies]] in the CMB.<ref name="CARASO" /> Was refitted with the [[Arcminute Cosmology Bolometer Array Receiver|ACBAR]] bolometer (2000-2008).<ref>{{cite web |title=Arcminute Cosmology Bolometer Array Receiver: Instrument Description |url=http://cosmology.berkeley.edu/group/swlh/acbar/instrument/index.html |website=Berkeley Cosmology Group |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110135135/http://cosmology.berkeley.edu/group/swlh/acbar/instrument/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Degree Angular Scale Interferometer|DASI]] (1999–2000), used to measure the temperature and power spectrum of the CMB.<ref name=MPDASI>{{cite journal|last1=Leitch|first1=E.M.|display-authors=etal|title=Measurement of polarization with the Degree Angular Scale Interferometer|journal=Nature|date=December 2002|volume=420|issue=6917|pages=763–771|doi=10.1038/nature01271|pmid=12490940|arxiv = astro-ph/0209476 |bibcode = 2002Natur.420..763L |s2cid=563348}}</ref>
* The [[QUaD]] (2004–2009), used the DASI mount, used to make detailed observations of CMB polarization.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ade |first1=P. |last2=Bock |first2=J. |last3=Bowden |first3=M. |last4=Brown |first4=M. L. |last5=Cahill |first5=G. |last6=Carlstrom |first6=J. E. |last7=Castro |first7=P. G. |last8=Church |first8=S. |last9=Culverhouse |first9=T. |last10=Friedman |first10=R. |last11=Ganga |first11=K. |last12=Gear |first12=W. K. |last13=Hinderks |first13=J. |last14=Kovac |first14=J. |last15=Lange |first15=A. E. |last16=Leitch |first16=E. |last17=Melhuish |first17=S. J. |last18=Murphy |first18=J. A. |last19=Orlando |first19=A. |last20=Schwarz |first20=R. |last21=O'Sullivan |first21=C. |last22=Piccirillo |first22=L. |last23=Pryke |first23=C.|author23-link=Clement Pryke |last24=Rajguru |first24=N. |last25=Rusholme |first25=B. |last26=Taylor |first26=A. N. |last27=Thompson |first27=K. L. |last28=Wu |first28=E. Y. S. |last29=Zemcov |first29=M. |title=First Season QUaD CMB Temperature and Polarization Power Spectra|journal=The Astrophysical Journal |date=February 10, 2008|volume=674|issue=1|pages=22–28|doi=10.1086/524922|arxiv=0705.2359|bibcode=2008ApJ...674...22A |s2cid=14375472 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Brown |first1=M. L. |last2=Ade |first2=P. |last3=Bock |first3=J. |last4=Bowden |first4=M. |last5=Cahill |first5=G. |last6=Castro |first6=P. G. |last7=Church |first7=S. |last8=Culverhouse |first8=T. |last9=Friedman |first9=R. B. |last10=Ganga |first10=K. |last11=Gear |first11=W. K. |last12=Gupta |first12=S. |last13=Hinderks |first13=J. |last14=Kovac |first14=J. |last15=Lange |first15=A. E. |last16=Leitch |first16=E. |last17=Melhuish |first17=S. J. |last18=Memari |first18=Y. |last19=Murphy |first19=J. A. |last20=Orlando |first20=A. |last21=Sullivan |first21=C. O' |last22=Piccirillo |first22=L. |last23=Pryke |first23=C.|author23-link=Clement Pryke |last24=Rajguru |first24=N. |last25=Rusholme |first25=B. |last26=Schwarz |first26=R. |last27=Taylor |first27=A. N. |last28=Thompson |first28=K. L. |last29=Turner |first29=A. H. |last30=Wu |first30=E. Y. S. |last31=Zemcov |first31=M. |title=Improved Measurements of the Temperature and Polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background From QUaD |journal=The Astrophysical Journal |date=November 1, 2009 |volume=705 |issue=1 |pages=978–999 |doi=10.1088/0004-637X/705/1/978 |arxiv=0906.1003|bibcode=2009ApJ...705..978B |s2cid=1918381 }}</ref>
* The [[BICEP and Keck Array#BICEP1|BICEP1]] (2006–2008) and [[BICEP and Keck Array#BICEP2|BICEP2]] (2010–2012) instruments were also used to observe polarization anisotropies in the CMB. [[BICEP and Keck Array#BICEP3|BICEP3]] was installed in 2015.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Dusting for the fingerprint of inflation with BICEP3 |first=Matthew R. |last=Francis |date=16 May 2016 |journal=Symmetry |publisher=[[Fermilab]]/[[SLAC]] |url=http://www.symmetrymagazine.org/article/dusting-for-the-fingerprint-of-inflation-with-bicep3}}</ref>
* [[South Pole Telescope]] (2007–present), used to survey the CMB to look for distant [[galaxy cluster]]s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ruhl |first1=John |editor3-first=Stafford |editor3-last=Withington |editor2-first=Wayne S |editor2-last=Holland |editor1-first=Jonas |editor1-last=Zmuidzinas |title=Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors for Astronomy II |chapter=The South Pole Telescope |journal= Proc. SPIE |date=October 2004 |volume=5498 |pages=11–29 |doi=10.1117/12.552473 |arxiv=astro-ph/0411122 |s2cid=17400060 |display-authors=etal}}</ref>
* The [[BICEP and Keck Array#Keck Array|Keck Array]] (2010–present), using the DASI mount,<ref name=KAO/> is now used to continue work on the polarization anisotropies of the CMB.

'''Neutrino Experiments'''
* [[Antarctic Muon And Neutrino Detector Array|AMANDA]] (1997–2009) was an experiment to detect neutrinos.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mgrdichian |first1=Laura |title=Amanda's First Six Years |url=http://phys.org/news123497018.html |website=[[Phys.org]] |access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref>
* [[IceCube Neutrino Observatory|IceCube]] (2010–present) is an experiment to detect neutrinos.<ref>{{cite web |title=IceCube South Pole Neutrino Observatory |url=http://icecube.wisc.edu/ |website=University of Wisconsin-Madison |access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Radio Ice Cherenkov Experiment]] or RICE (1999–2012), an experiment to detect ultra high energy (UHE) neutrinos.
* [[Neutrino Array Radio Calibration]] or NARC (2008–2012), an upgrade of the RICE experiment.
* [[Askaryan Radio Array]] or ARA (2011–present), a successor of RICE, currently (as of 2022) under construction.

==Climate==
[[File:Anta0151 (19771223522).jpg|thumb|[[Polar night]] with an [[Aurora australis]] and the [[Milky Way]] visible behind the NOAA Atmospheric Research Observatory]]
Typical of inland Antarctica, Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station experiences an [[ice cap climate]] (''[[Köppen climate classification|EF]]'') with BWk precipitation patterns.<ref name='weatherbase'>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=90098&refer=&units=metric |title=South Pole, Antarctica |access-date=October 7, 2009 |website=WeatherBase}}</ref> The peak season of summer lasts from December to mid February.

{{Weather box
|location = Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = -14.8
|Feb record high C = -20.6
|Mar record high C = -26.7
|Apr record high C = -27.8
|May record high C = -25.1
|Jun record high C = -28.8
|Jul record high C = -31.9
|Aug record high C = -32.8
|Sep record high C = -29.3
|Oct record high C = -25.1
|Nov record high C = -18.9
|Dec record high C = -12.3
|year record high C = -12.3
| Jan avg record high C  = -19.3
| Feb avg record high C  = -26.7
| Mar avg record high C  = -35.4
| Apr avg record high C  = -39.9
| May avg record high C  = -37.7
| Jun avg record high C  = -41.1
| Jul avg record high C  = -40.6
| Aug avg record high C  = -42.5
| Sep avg record high C  = -38.2
| Oct avg record high C  = -37.2
| Nov avg record high C  = -27.0
| Dec avg record high C  = -20.5
| year avg record high C = -18.2
|Jan high C = -25.9
|Feb high C = -37.4
|Mar high C = -49.2
|Apr high C = -52.6
|May high C = -52.8
|Jun high C = -53.1
|Jul high C = -55.2
|Aug high C = -54.6
|Sep high C = -54.1
|Oct high C = -47.3
|Nov high C = -34.9
|Dec high C = -25.6
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = -28.1
|Feb mean C = -40.7
|Mar mean C = -53.6
|Apr mean C = -57.4
|May mean C = -57.7
|Jun mean C = -58.1
|Jul mean C = -60.2
|Aug mean C = -59.7
|Sep mean C = -58.9
|Oct mean C = -50.9
|Nov mean C = -37.2
|Dec mean C = -27.3
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -29.5
|Feb low C = -42.6
|Mar low C = -56.4
|Apr low C = -60.6
|May low C = -61.1
|Jun low C = -61.5
|Jul low C = -63.7
|Aug low C = -63.0
|Sep low C = -62.2
|Oct low C = -53.3
|Nov low C = -38.8
|Dec low C = -28.4
|year low C = -52.2
| Jan avg record low C  = -34.9
| Feb avg record low C  = -51.4
| Mar avg record low C  = -66.2
| Apr avg record low C  = -69.6
| May avg record low C  = -70.2
| Jun avg record low C  = -72.8
| Jul avg record low C  = -72.3
| Aug avg record low C  = -72.6
| Sep avg record low C  = -73.6
| Oct avg record low C  = -66.8
| Nov avg record low C  = -48.8
| Dec avg record low C  = -35.2
|year avg record low C = -75.3
|Jan record low C = -41.1
|Feb record low C = -58.9
|Mar record low C = -71.1
|Apr record low C = -75.0
|May record low C = -78.3
|Jun record low C = -82.8
|Jul record low C = -80.6
|Aug record low C = -79.3
|Sep record low C = -79.4
|Oct record low C = -72.0
|Nov record low C = -55.0
|Dec record low C = -41.1
|year record low C = -82.8
|Jan precipitation mm = 0.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 0.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 0.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 0.1
|May precipitation mm = 0.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 0.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 0.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 0.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 0.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 0.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 0.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 0.3
|year precipitation mm = 2.3
|Jan snow cm = 0.3
|Feb snow cm = 0.5
|Mar snow cm =-
|Apr snow cm =-
|May snow cm = 0.3
|Jun snow cm =-
|Jul snow cm =trace
|Aug snow cm =-
|Sep snow cm =-
|Oct snow cm =-
|Nov snow cm =-
|Dec snow cm = 0.3
|year snow cm = 1.3
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 0.2
|Feb precipitation days = 0.3
|Mar precipitation days = 0.2
|Apr precipitation days = 0.0
|May precipitation days = 0.2
|Jun precipitation days = 0.1
|Jul precipitation days = 0.0
|Aug precipitation days = 0.0
|Sep precipitation days = 0.1
|Oct precipitation days = 0.1
|Nov precipitation days = 0.1
|Dec precipitation days = 0.3
|year precipitation days = 1.6
|Jan snow days = 22.0
|Feb snow days = 19.6
|Mar snow days = 13.6
|Apr snow days = 11.4
|May snow days = 17.2
|Jun snow days = 17.3
|Jul snow days = 18.2
|Aug snow days = 17.5
|Sep snow days = 11.7
|Oct snow days = 16.7
|Nov snow days = 16.9
|Dec snow days = 20.6
|year snow days = 203.0
|Jan sun = 406.1
|Feb sun = 497.2
|Mar sun = 195.3
|Apr sun = 0.0
|May sun = 0.0
|Jun sun = 0.0
|Jul sun = 0.0
|Aug sun = 0.0
|Sep sun = 34.1
|Oct sun = 390.6
|Nov sun = 558.0
|Dec sun = 616.9
|year sun = 2698.2
|Jand sun = 13.1
|Febd sun = 17.6
|Mard sun = 6.3
|Aprd sun = 0.0
|Mayd sun = 0.0
|Jund sun = 0.0
|Juld sun = 0.0
|Augd sun = 0.0
|Sepd sun = 1.1
|Octd sun = 12.6
|Novd sun = 18.6
|Decd sun = 19.9
|yeard sun = 7.4
|source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net (temperatures, 1991-2020, extremes 1957–present)<ref name=pogoda>{{cite web
| url = http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate5/89009.htm
| title = Weather and Climate – The Climate of Amundsen–Scott
| language = ru
| website = Weather and Climate (Погода и климат)
| access-date = 5 April 2017}}</ref> <ref>Météo Climat (mean minimums, 1981-2010){{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/mete34-1957-2021-8-tn-1-0-0.php 
| title = Météo Climat 
| access-date = 2 February 2023}}</ref> <ref>Météo Climat (mean maximums, 1981-2010){{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/mete34-1957-2021-4-tn-1-0-0.php
| title = Météo Climat 
| access-date = 2 February 2023}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (Precipitation 1957–1988 and Sun 1978–1993),<ref name=DWD>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_890090_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Amundsen-Scott / Südpol-Station (USA) / Antarktis
| website = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher= [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]
| language = de
| access-date = 5 April 2017}}</ref> NOAA (snowy days and snowfall data, 1961–1988)<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/ANTARCTICA/AM/89009.TXT
| title = Amundsen–Scott Climate Normals 1961−1990
| website = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = 5 April 2017}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

==Media and events==
In 1991, [[Michael Palin]] visited the base on the eighth and final episode of his BBC Television documentary, ''[[Pole to Pole]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://palinstravels.co.uk/book-1264?from=photoindex-36-7 |first=Michael |last=Palin |title=Day 141: To the South Pole |work=palinstravels.co.uk |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002075053/https://www.palinstravels.co.uk/book-1264?from=photoindex-36-7 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/DsmTx36OeCw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929135835/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsmTx36OeCw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsmTx36OeCw |author=BBC Worldwide |title=Michael Palin reaches the South Pole |website=YouTube |date=September 20, 2007 |access-date=August 3, 2017|author-link=BBC Worldwide }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On January 10, 1995, [[NASA]], [[PBS]], and [[National Science Foundation|NSF]] collaborated for the first live television broadcast from the South Pole, titled ''Spaceship South Pole''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://passporttoknowledge.com/antarctica/interact/updates/lfa/four.html |title=Live From Antarctica |website=Passport to Knowledge |access-date=October 4, 2010}}</ref> During this interactive broadcast, students from several schools in the United States asked the scientists at the station questions about their work and conditions at the pole.<ref>{{cite web |first=Greg |last=Falxa |url=http://www.falxa.net/spole.htm |title=Tech Crew at the South Pole Interactive TV Broadcast |publisher=Falxa.net |access-date=November 8, 2009}}</ref>

In 1999, CBS News correspondent Jerry Bowen reported on camera in a talkback with anchors from the Saturday edition of ''CBS This Morning''.

In 1999, the winter-over physician, [[Jerri Nielsen]], found that she had [[breast cancer]]. She had to rely on self-administered [[chemotherapy]], using supplies from a daring July cargo drop, then was picked up in an equally dangerous mid-October landing.

On May 11, 2000, astrophysicist [[Rodney Marks]] became ill while walking between the remote observatory and the base. He became increasingly sick over 36 hours, three times returning increasingly distressed to the station's doctor. Advice was sought by satellite, but Marks died on May 12, 2000, with his condition undiagnosed.<ref name="cfaAlmanac">{{cite journal |url=http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/ep/almanac/0700c.htm |title=In Memoriam |journal=The CfA Almanac |volume=XIII |number=2 |date=July 2000 |publisher=Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics |access-date=December 19, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026171626/http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/ep/almanac/0700c.htm |archive-date=October 26, 2006}}</ref><ref name="southpole">{{cite web |url=http://www.southpolestation.com/memorial.html |title=Memorial |website=Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station |access-date=December 19, 2006}}</ref> The National Science Foundation issued a statement that Rodney Marks had "apparently died of natural causes, but the specific cause of death had yet to be determined".<ref name="nsf">{{cite press release |date=May 12, 2000 |title=Antarctic Researcher Dies |url=https://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/00/pr0032.htm |location=Arlington, Virginia |publisher=[[National Science Foundation]] Office of Legislative and Public Affairs |access-date=December 19, 2006}}</ref> The exact cause of Marks' death could not be determined until his body was removed from Amundsen–Scott Station and flown off Antarctica for an [[autopsy]].<ref name="antarcticsun">{{cite web |url=http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/oldissues2000-2001/2000_1022/rodney.html |title=Australian scientist dies during Pole winter |website=The Antarctic Sun |publisher=United States Antarctic Program |date=October 22, 2000 |access-date=December 19, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218123355/http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/oldissues2000-2001/2000_1022/rodney.html |archive-date=February 18, 2007}}</ref> Marks' death was due to [[methanol]] poisoning, and the case received media attention as the "first South Pole murder",<ref name="TelegraphChapman">{{cite news |last=Chapman |first=Paul |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/12/14/wpole14.xml |title=New Zealand Probes What May Be First South Pole Murder |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=December 19, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103025921/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2006%2F12%2F14%2Fwpole14.xml |archive-date=November 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> although there is no evidence that Marks died as the result of the act of another person.<ref name="DPA">{{cite news |agency=[[Deutsche Presse-Agentur]] |url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/news/printer_1233162.php |title=Death of Australian astrophysicist an Antarctic whodunnit |date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=December 19, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901103854/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/news/printer_1233162.php |archive-date=September 1, 2007 }}</ref><ref name=mj200912>{{cite magazine |last1=Cockrell |first1=Will |title=A Mysterious Death at the South Pole |url=http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/print-view/a-mysterious-death-at-the-south-pole-20131125 |access-date=February 13, 2015 |magazine=[[Men's Journal]] |date=December 2009}}</ref>

On 26 April 2001, [[Kenn Borek Air]] used a [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter]] aircraft to rescue Dr. Ronald Shemenski from Amundsen–Scott.<ref name="GlobalTV-2013-01-23">{{cite news |last=Weber |first=Bob |date=23 January 2013 |title=Bad weather hampers search for 3 Canadians on plane missing in Antarctica |website=[[Global News]] |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/382472/antarctic-rescue-flight-turned-back-as-weather-remains-impassable/ |url-status=live |access-date=23 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219185355/http://www.globalnews.ca/plane+carrying+3+canadians+missing+in+antarctica/6442794393/story.html |archive-date=19 February 2013}}</ref><ref name=CTV-2013-01-23>{{cite news |url=http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/kenn-borek-plane-carrying-three-canadians-missing-in-antarctica-1.1126655 |title=Kenn Borek plane carrying three Canadians missing in Antarctica |website=CTV News Calgary |date=January 23, 2013 |access-date=23 January 2013}}</ref><ref name=Antol-Shemenski>{{cite web |url=http://www.stargate4173.com/Polar/PolarJournals/southPoleRescue.html |title=The Rescue of Dr. Ron Shemenski from the South Pole |first=Bob |last=Antol |website=Bob Antol's Polar Journals |date=April 2001 |access-date=January 23, 2013}}</ref><ref name=NZH-2001-04-27>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=185352 |title=Doctor rescued from Antarctica safely in Chile |date=April 27, 2001 |access-date=January 23, 2013 |newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref> This was the first ever rescue from the [[South Pole]] during polar winter.<ref name=CNNtranscript-2001-04-26>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/26/bn.02.html |title=Plane With Dr. Shemenski Arrives in Chile |date=April 26, 2001 |website=CNN |access-date=January 23, 2013}}</ref> To achieve the range necessary for this flight, the Twin Otter was equipped with a special [[ferry tank]].

In January 2007, the station was visited by a group of high-level Russian officials, including [[Federal Security Service|FSB]] chiefs [[Nikolai Patrushev]] and [[Vladimir Pronichev]]. The expedition, led by polar explorer [[Artur Chilingarov]], started from [[Chile]] on two [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]] helicopters and landed at the [[South Pole]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11656613 |title=Patrushev lands at South Pole during Antarctic expedition |agency=[[Interfax]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930223721/http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11656613 |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesrussia.com/two-russian-helicopters-landed-at-south-pole-for-the-first-time |title=Two Russian helicopters land at the South Pole |website=TimesRussia |date=January 9, 2007 |access-date=November 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009025328/http://www.timesrussia.com/two-russian-helicopters-landed-at-south-pole-for-the-first-time |archive-date=October 9, 2007}}</ref>

On September 6, 2007, The [[National Geographic (U.S. TV channel)|National Geographic Channel]]'s television show ''Man Made'' aired an episode on the construction of their new facility.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/ET/popup/200709070000.html |title=Man-Made: The South Pole Project |website=National Geographic Channel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022051440/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/ET/popup/200709070000.html |archive-date=October 22, 2007}}</ref>

On November 9, 2007, edition of [[NBC]]'s ''[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]]'', show co-anchor [[Ann Curry]] made a satellite telephone call which was broadcast live from the South Pole.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/money/today-s-world-traveler-ready-come-back-wbna21706630 |title=Today's world traveler ready to come back |first=Mike |last=Celizic |website=Today.com |date=November 9, 2007 |access-date=November 8, 2009}}</ref>

On Christmas 2007, two employees at the base got into a fight and had to be evacuated.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/international/story/0,,2232454,00.html |title=Antarctic base staff evacuated after Christmas brawl |first=Barbara | last=McMahon |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=December 27, 2007 |location=London |access-date=November 8, 2009}}</ref>

On July 11, 2011, the winter-over communications technician fell ill and was diagnosed with [[appendicitis]]. An emergency open [[appendectomy]] was performed by the station doctors with several winter-overs assisting during the surgery.

The 2011 [[BBC]] TV programme ''[[Frozen Planet]]'' discusses the base and shows footage of the inside and outside of the elevated station in the "Last Frontier Episode".

During the 2011 winter-over season, station manager Renee-Nicole Douceur experienced a [[stroke]] on August 27, resulting in loss of vision and cognitive function. Because the Amundsen–Scott base lacks diagnostic medical equipment such as an MRI or CT scan machine, station doctors were unable to fully evaluate the damage done by the stroke or the chance of recurrence. Physicians on site recommended a medevac flight as soon as possible for Douceur, but offsite doctors hired by Raytheon Polar Services (the company contracted to run the base) and the National Science Foundation disagreed with the severity of the situation. The National Science Foundation, which is the final authority on all flights and assumes all financial responsibility for the flights, denied the request for medevac, saying the weather was still too hazardous.<ref name="Weather Channel">{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/videos/news-41/top-stories-169/pilot-describes-antarctica-wx-challenges-22222 |title=Pilot describes Antarctica wx challenges |website=Weather.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018170824/http://www.weather.com/weather/videos/news-41/top-stories-169/pilot-describes-antarctica-wx-challenges-22222 |archive-date=October 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Plans were made to evacuate Douceur on the first flight available. Douceur and her niece, believing Douceur's condition to be grave and believing an earlier medevac flight possible, contacted Senator [[Jeanne Shaheen]] for assistance; as the NSF continued to state Douceur's condition did not qualify for a medevac attempt and conditions at the base would not permit an earlier flight, Douceur and her supporters brought the situation to media attention.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/08/science/08southpole.html |first=Douglas |last=Quenqua |title=Worker at South Pole Station Pushes for a Rescue After a Stroke |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44820005/ns/technology_and_science-science/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008103317/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44820005/ns/technology_and_science-science/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 8, 2011 |title=Evacuation is denied for South Pole stroke victim |first=Eric |last=Niiler |date=October 7, 2011 |website=MSNBC |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref> Douceur was evacuated, along with a doctor and an escort, on an October 17 cargo flight. This was the first flight available when the weather window opened up on October 16. This first flight is usually solely for supply and refueling of the station, and does not customarily accept passengers, as the plane's cabin is unpressurized.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view/2011_1012raytheon_worker_stuck_in_south_pole_is_coming_home/srvc=home&position=recent |title=Raytheon worker stuck in South Pole is coming home |newspaper=[[Boston Herald]] |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/south-pole-stroke-victim-renee-nicole-douceur-waits/story?id=14711852 |title=South Pole: Stroke Victim Waits for Plane Flight |first=Ned |last=Potter |date=October 11, 2011 |website=ABC News |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref> The evacuation was successful, and Douceur arrived in [[Christchurch]], New Zealand, at 10:55&nbsp;p.m.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44923433 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017140357/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44923433/ns/us_news-life/ |url-status=live |archive-date=October 17, 2011 |title=Sick American engineer flies out of South Pole |website=MSNBC |date=October 17, 2011 |access-date=December 28, 2011}}</ref> She ultimately made a full recovery.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/10/28/south-pole-stroke-victim-recovering-at-johns-hopkins/ |title=South Pole stroke victim recovering at Johns Hopkins |date=October 28, 2011 |first=Andrea K. |last=Walker |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083220/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-10-28/health/bs-hs-south-pole-patient-20111028_1_raytheon-polar-services-physical-therapy-south-pole |archive-date=April 7, 2014}}</ref>

In March 2014, [[BICEP and Keck Array#BICEP2|BICEP2]] announced that they had detected [[Cosmic microwave background#Polarization|B-modes]] from [[gravitational wave]]s generated in the [[Chronology of the universe#Early universe|early universe]], supporting the [[Inflation (cosmology)|inflation theory]] of cosmology.<ref name="NYT-20140317">{{cite news |last=Overbye |first=Dennis |author-link=Dennis Overbye |title=Detection of Waves in Space Buttresses Landmark Theory of Big Bang |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/18/science/space/detection-of-waves-in-space-buttresses-landmark-theory-of-big-bang.html |date=March 17, 2014 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=March 17, 2014}}</ref> Later analysis showed that BICEP only saw polarized dust signal in the galaxy and not primordial B-modes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/blogs/physics/2015/10/the-b-mode-story-you-havent-heard/ |title=The Nature of Reality: The B-Mode Story You Haven't Heard |first=Sarah |last=Scoles |date=October 28, 2015 |website=[[PBS]] |access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

On 20 June 2016, there was another medical evacuation of two personnel around midwinter day, again involving Kenn Borek Air and DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=138982&org=NSF&from=news |title=Antarctic medical evacuation planes reach British station at Rothera |date=June 20, 2016 |publisher=[[National Science Foundation]] |location=Arlington, Virginia |access-date=July 11, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.southpolestation.com/news/news.html |work=South Pole News |title=News |date=July 2016 |access-date=July 11, 2016}}</ref><ref name="NYT-20160622">{{cite news |last=Ramzy |first=Austin |title=Rescue Flight Lands at South Pole to Evacuate Sick Worker |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/23/world/antarctica-south-pole-rescue.html |date=June 22, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref>

In December 2016, [[Buzz Aldrin]] was visiting the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica, as part of a tourist group, when he fell ill and was evacuated, first to McMurdo Station and from there to [[Christchurch, New Zealand]], where he was reported to be in stable condition. Aldrin's visit at age 86 makes him the oldest person to ever reach the South Pole.

In the summer of 2016–17, [[Anthony Bourdain]] filmed part of an episode of his television show ''[[Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown]]'' at the station.<ref>{{cite web |last=West |first=Adam |date=February 23, 2017 |url=https://antarcticsun.usap.gov/aroundTheContinent/contentHandler.cfm?id=4295 |title=Summer's Almost Gone |website=The Antarctic Sun |publisher=United States Antarctic Program |access-date=June 12, 2017}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Science and life at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole station is documented in [[John Bird (scientist)|Dr. John Bird]]'s award-winning book, ''One Day, One Night: Portraits of the South Pole''<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Bird |first1=John |last2=McCallum|first2=Jennifer |date=2017|title= One Day, One Night: Portraits of the South Pole. |publisher=Createspace.|isbn=978-1539947301}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2016 NEW YORK BOOK FESTIVAL WINNERS|url=http://newyorkbookfest.brinkster.net/portal/content.asp?ContentID=832|access-date=March 4, 2018|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131161751/http://newyorkbookfest.brinkster.net/portal/content.asp?ContentID=832|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Winners and Finalists 2017|url=http://www.indiebookawards.com/winners|website=Next Generation Indie Book Awards|access-date=March 4, 2018|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225103020/https://indiebookawards.com/winners|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Hughes>{{cite news |title= Explore Life at the South Pole in One Day, One Night: Portraits of the South Pole |first=Becky |last=Hughes |url= https://parade.com/641576/beckyhughes/explore-life-at-the-south-pole-in-one-day-one-night-portraits-of-the-south-pole|newspaper=Parade|date=January 24, 2018|access-date=March 4, 2018}}</ref> which chronicles the South Pole Foucault Pendulum,<ref>{{cite news |title=Here They Are, Science's 10 Most Beautiful Experiments |first=George |last=Johnson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/24/science/here-they-are-science-s-10-most-beautiful-experiments.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 24, 2002 |access-date=March 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Baker |first=G. P. |year=2011 |title=Seven Tales of the Pendulum |pages=388 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-958951-7}}</ref> the [[300 Club]],<ref name=Hughes /> the first midwinter medevac, and science at the Pole including climate change and cosmology.

Science fiction author [[Kim Stanley Robinson]]'s book ''[[Antarctica (novel)|Antarctica]]'' features a fictionalized account of the culture at Amundsen–Scott and [[McMurdo Station|McMurdo]], set in the near future.

The station is featured prominently in the 1998 ''[[The X-Files]]'' film ''[[The X-Files (film)|Fight the Future]]''.

The 2009 film ''[[Whiteout (2009 film)|Whiteout]]'' is mainly set at the Amundsen–Scott base, although the building layouts are completely different.

The [[turn-based strategy]] [[game]] ''[[Civilization VI]]'', in its expansion ''[[Civilization VI: Rise and Fall|Rise and Fall]]'', included the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station as a Wonder.

The [[anime]] [[OVA]] ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin]]'' features a large city in Antarctica called Scott City under a [[Geodesic dome]] not unlike the 1975 dome as the location of a major peace conference between the human [[space colonies]] controlled by [[Zeon]] and the Earth Federation.

The 2019 film ''[[Where'd You Go, Bernadette (film)|Where'd You Go, Bernadette]]'' features the station prominently and includes scenes of its construction at the closing credits, although the actual station depicted in the film is [[Halley Research Station|Halley VI British Antarctic Research Station]].

==Time zone==
The South Pole sees the Sun [[sunrise|rise]] and [[sunset|set]] only once a year. Due to [[atmospheric refraction]], these do not occur exactly on the [[September equinox]] and the [[March equinox]], respectively: the Sun is above the horizon for four days longer at each equinox. The place has no [[solar time]]; there is no daily maximum or minimum solar height above the horizon. The station uses [[Time in New Zealand|New Zealand time]] (UTC+12 during standard time and UTC+13 during [[daylight saving time]]) since all flights to McMurdo station depart from [[Christchurch]] and, therefore, all official travel from the pole goes through New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://antarctica.co.uk/time-zone-in-antarctica/ |title=What time zone is used in Antarctica? |website=Antarctica.uk |date=January 14, 2023 |access-date=October 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/antarctica |title=Time Zones Currently Being Used in Antarctica |website=Time and Date AS |access-date=October 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dempsey |first=Caitlin |url=https://www.geographyrealm.com/country-time-zones/ |title=Which Country Has the Most Time Zones? |website=Geography Realm |date=March 29, 2023 |access-date=October 22, 2023}}</ref>

The zone identifier in the [[Tz database|IANA time zone database]] was the deprecated Antarctica/South_Pole. It now uses the Pacific/Auckland timezone.

==See also==
* [[Concordia Station]]
* [[Kunlun Station (Antarctica)|Kunlun Station]]
* [[Antarctic field camps|List of Antarctic field camps]]
* [[Research stations in Antarctica#List of research stations|List of Antarctic research stations]]
* [[Paul Siple]]
* [[Polheim]], Amundsen's name for the first South Pole camp.
* [[Scott Base]]
* [[Vostok Station]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station}}
* {{cite web|title=South Pole Station images and maps|url=http://www.southpolestation.com/maps/oldmaps.html|website=old and, well, older looks at Old Pole}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.usap.gov/videoclipsandmaps/spwebcam.cfm |title=South Pole Station Webcams |website=United States Antarctic Program}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/webdata/spo/webcam/cmdlfullsize.jpg |title=Amundsen–Scott Station webcam |website=NOAA}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/support/southp.jsp |title=Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station |website=National Science Foundation}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.comnap.aq/facilities |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424075823/http://www.comnap.aq/facilities |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-04-24 |title=Antarctic Facilities |website=[[COMNAP]]}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.comnap.aq/publications/maps/comnap_map_edition5_a0_2009-07-24.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220115654/https://www.comnap.aq/publications/maps/comnap_map_edition5_a0_2009-07-24.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 February 2011 |title=Antarctic Facilities Map (Edition 5) |date=24 July 2009 |website=COMNAP}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.southpolestation.com/ |title=Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station |first=Bill |last=Spindler |website=southpolestation.com}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.antarctic-adventures.de/ |title=Iceman's South Pole page |website=antarctic-adventures.de}}
* {{cite web|url=http://weaknuclearforce.wordpress.com/ |title=Weak Nuclear Force |website=Wordpress}}
* {{NWS-current|NZSP}}

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[[Category:1956 establishments in Antarctica]]
[[Category:Outposts of Antarctica]]
[[Category:United States Antarctic Program]]
[[Category:Antarctic Specially Managed Areas]]
[[Category:South Pole]]