AntarcticDoctor

We had our most intense, active and spectacular aurora thus far – a whopping 400 nanotesla flux in the magnetic field (compared to the 40-80 nT that caused most of the other auroras you’ve seen on this site) briefly lit the sky with sweeping green, pink, yellow, red and blue. Unfortunately, invading cloud cover prevented us from seeing the best of the show, and made photography difficult. Another beautiful atmospheric feature also chased us from the roof before too long: ‘diamond dust’. Like a mist of ice, diamond dust is iridescent when lit; the air itself glitters; but the price of its beauty is the biting cold. On the base’s roof, exposed to the sparkling wind at minus-twenty-something-nasty, I was content to lie a while and watch nature’s artwork without fussing over too many photos: Ice crystals shimmered past silver moonlit gossamer clouds, and above it all the aurora morphed and flowed; the ball-gown of Mother Earth trailing into space as she danced her pas de deux with the distant Sun.

We had amazingly lovely weather today – only -9°C and not a breath of wind.  Truly, compared to the recent -20-something with heavy winds we’ve been having, it felt balmy.  Despite the darkness, Sanki and I decided to get out and have some exercise.  Taking cross-country ski’s, we went over to the winter depot to check on the containers and caboose stored there.  It was interesting skiing in the darkness, with only a slight glow on the northern horizon despite being around midday, but the exercise was good and the skis treated us well.  With almost no visual references and no contrast, we really sensed every ripple in the snow and ice through our skis as we glided along.

Antarctic expeditions since the days of the epic explorers have focussed on science, but also carry a strong creative tradition.  The literary works of the likes of Scott and Cherry-Garrard are well known, and the artistic contributions of their compatriots such as Dr Wilson should be equally famous.  Before the ubiquitous use of photography, much of the scientific recording of the environment and animal life of Antarctica was achieved through the talented artwork of her explorers.  To continue this tradition, many contemporary expeditions include writers, journalists, photographers and artists, with the task of bringing all the emotive aspects of Antarctica back to the common man.

During the 2007/8 summer expedition and takeover, we were privileged to have Mrs Nerina de Villers as Artist-in-Residence.  Nerina travelled to Antarctica with us aboard the SA Agulhas, and stayed at the base during the summer before retuning to South Africa.  During this time she painted several original works (including the one in the picture below, which is now mine, my precioussssss….) and collected hundreds of photographs and sketches for future works.  This has included a mural at the DEAT A&I headquarters in Cape Town, and a large painting for the galley of the Agulhas.  She also donated a beautiful painting of Knotten to SANAE IV.

Nerina will be hosting an exhibition of her work at the SANAP headquarters in Cape Town next week.  Interested members of the public are welcome to attend this event.  I believe it is free and open to all.  The details are:

Date:   Friday, 20 June 2008

Time:  17h00 (SAST)

Venue:  DEAT Antarctica & Islands (SANAP Centre), East Pier, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.

Click on the satellite image below for directions.  Basically, once you enter the Waterfront, follow the signs to the helicopters past the Table Bay Hotel.  Once you reach the heliport, you are on the East Pier – SANAP is visible at the end.  The SA AGulhas is moored at her berth at the pier at the moment, and you can hardly miss a big red and white ship 😉