ANTARCTICA | Thursday, 27 June 2013 | Views [502] | View Larger Image
From May to August, the sun will set below the horizon leaving you in 3 months of complete darkness. Your mind starts to fold inwards as the temperature plummets. If you are not careful in the perpetual darkness your hormone regulated sleep cycle will spiral out of control and you will 'freewheel' around the world's timezones, waking up in Fiji and going to bed in Bulgaria.
The loss in circadian rhythm is an important element to study in relation to understanding the effects of long distance class space missions on human psychology and physiology, where you would experience the effects of altered day-night cycle, having to endure long periods of darkness.
This photo was taken at the height of midwinter. It shows the world's coldest and most remote Diamond Jubilee tea Party. The entire crew enjoyed freshly brewed tea and baked scones on the rooftop in -75C in the darkness. The scones soon turned to concrete and the porcelain tea cups froze to our lips. But it is important to share in any activities which all count towards keeping people's minds and the team entertained and sane during winter.
