On the Job at the South Pole

Scholastic News: What is your job?

Summer Blot: My team works on building a telescope buried in the ice. We look for particles, or tiny building blocks, that land in the ice from far away in space. Some come from hundreds of millions of miles away! Studying them helps us learn about the universe.  

SN: Where do you stay when you are there?

SB: We stay at a research station that’s the size of a small school. There’s a cafeteria, garden, gym, offices, and beds. 

SN: Do you think people will ever live there year-round?

SB: It’s too harsh! And countries have decided that Antarctica is a place for science, research, and wildlife. 

SN: What do you wear outside?

SB: We wear thick coats, and sunglasses because sunlight shines off the snow. That means it’s easy to get a sunburn too. So don’t forget the sunscreen! 

SN: What do you think about Ernest Shackleton?

SB: I’m amazed by him. Even with all the safety equipment we have in Antarctica today, it was still scary to go outside. Back when Shackleton was there, you would need to be especially brave!