IceCube deployed the first detector string of the season yesterday, December 8. The plan is for 14 to 18 strings to be deployed in this season. The previous earliest string deployment was December 13.

The first tourist flight arrived at South Pole early today. 2 Twin Otter aircraft of the Antarctic aviation specialist company ANI (adventure Network International) brought 17 passengers to the South Pole for a short visit. As well as spending time at the South Pole, these visitors got a tour of the station, and of course a chance to visit the store.

I was asked by a school student what type of vehicles we use for travel in Antarctica. At first I thought the answer was obvious. But then I wondered why anyone would expect us to do much travel. At the South Pole I’ll not go more than 2 miles from the main building for the entire trip. However, even in this small distance it is true that we use vehicles to get around, and at other bases, such as McMurdo, travel is more common.

I get quite a lot of questions about the types of jobs in Antarctica, and how to go about getting them. The most common job I get asked about, you might be surprised to hear, is for firefighter positions. And it’s a good questions as fire is extremely dangerous in Antarctica, and for that reason there a quite a few firefighter positions in McMurdo and South Pole.

There are two big station parties during the summer, Thanks Giving and Christmas. Both are celebrated with a day off, and a elaborated meal prepared by the kitchen. The 250 people are served at 3 seatings, and the tables set with white table clothes and candles. It is buffet style, but people are waited on by wine waiters, who also serve waist-expanding deserts, and even cleaner away dishes.

This week the entrance of The Dome, which has been a tunnel for some time, was disassembled in preparation for maintenance work on the tunnels which will be used for storage.

Today is Sunday, the station day off. The normal work week at South Pole is 6 days, 54 hours. Every month there is a long weekend, that is a 2 day weekend. In November Thanks Giving is moved to a Saturday, and there’s the long weekend, and in December there is Christmas, but despite the best efforts of he government, Christmas so far hasn’t been moved if it lands during the week.

Questions about Antarctica from students at Cronulla South Public School, and my attempt at answers.

Raytheon Polar Services Company (RPSC) has positions open for the 2008 winter at South Pole and McMurdo. If you're interested you can apply on line at www.rayjobs.com

The past 2 days have been all about work. Maybe not the work you would expect of a highly trained IT person. There was also some life beyond work with a couple of exciting high points.