After four months without a sunrise, the crew of the Concordia research station in Antarctica welcome the sun’s return on Aug. 12th. During the Antarctic summer some sixty scientists live and work on the base conducting research on the icy plateau two miles above sea level. When winter comes, the skeleton crew of up to fifteen keep the base running and fend for themselves for nine months. No help can be flown in as temperatures drop to -112°F. Preparing for exploration of our solar system, the European Space Agency runs life science experiments on the crew as they adapt to life in these harsh conditions. |
