U.S. South Pole Station
Supporting Science
Videos
New NSF Station
On January 12, 2008, the National Science Foundation dedicated its newest scientific station at the bottom of the world, the geographical South Pole. The new Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station continues the unbroken legacy of scientific observations that began in 1957 during International Geophysical Year (IGY).
Credit: Dena Headlee/National Science Foundation.
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
Byrd's Flight
Richard E. Byrd's flight and how it contributed to science exploration.
Credit: National Science Foundation and National Archives.
Freeze Frame: Reflections from the Ice
Join South Pole station construction chief Jerry Marty for a look at the challenges of living and working at the South Pole, and how engineering and ingenuity are helping to meet them.
Credit: Cliff Braverman, Peter West, National Science Foundation.
Scientific Logistics at the South Pole Station
U.S. Antarctic Program Research Stations and Logistical Support
Credit: Dena Headlee, National Science Foundation
South Pole Telescope
Just days before the official start of the International Polar Year—and 50 years after 18 men first wintered at the South Pole—scientists collected the first test observations from a massive new telescope.
Credit: Trent Schindler, National Science Foundation.
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
A Galactic Cataclysm
Every 20 million years or so, gas pours into the galactic center and sets off bursts of star formation. The larger stars soon go supernova, blasting the surrounding space and sterilizing it. NSF based this animation of such a cataclysm on research carried out by astronomer Antony Stark, using the Antarctic Submillimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory (AST / RO).
Credit: Trent Schindler, National Science Foundation
NBC's Today Show at the South Pole
In 2007, The Today Show's Ann Curry visited Antarctica with the help of the National Science Foundation, and her trip to the South Pole made national news. See clips from that visit, courtesy of NBC News.
Credit: NBC News
South Pole Traverse
Team completes overland traverse to South Pole station.
Credit: Dena Headlee, National Science Foundation
Polar Neutrino Observatory
Scientists and engineers take a major step toward completing the world's preeminent cosmic neutrino observatory at South Pole station.
Credit: Mike Single.
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
Proceed As If This Had Not Happened
In a lecture taped in 2011 Ross MacPhee discusses his book about the rivalry Race to The End: Amundsen, Scott, and the Attainment of the South Pole.
Credit: NSF Video
Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations presented in this material are only those of the presenter grantee/researcher, author, or agency employee; and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.