A Visit to the Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Facilty

Aurora over Scott Base by Jody

Mt. Erebus by Cynthia

A friend of mine is a University of Colorado intern working at gathering ozone layer measurements. I was invited to observe the nightly (weather permitting) data gathering.

McMurdo LIDAR in operation.

The Dobson Spectrophotometer is used to measure the ozone layer.

This leads to a roof opening.

Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is an ozone measurement technique that relies on absorption of laser light by ozone.

There are two lasers generated and directed upwards of 30 miles.

These filters and mirrors direct the laser beam.

These two telescopes are used to collect ultraviolet light that is scattered by two laser beams - one of which is absorbed by ozone and the other is not. By comparing the intensity of light scattered from each laser, a profile of ozone concentration vs. altitude is measured up to 30 miles.

The laser is generated here.

More filters and mirrors to direct the beam.

The front of the telescopes.

The laser beams are directed up through the two tubes through the roof.

The following three videos show laser generation.

McMurdo Post Office

America's first post office in Antarctica was established in 1933, when Admiral Richard E. Byrd and his crew arrived at Little America base camp, located on the Ross Ice Shelf. This expedition was Byrd's second of five to the Antarctic and the only one to have a post office.
When McMurdo was established in 1955, a post office was included and operated by the U.S. military. In 1995, the NSF Antarctic program contractor took over operations of the post office; however, it remains an Army and Air Force Post Office (APO) designation. 
The post office is located in the Movement Control Center (MCC), Bldg. 140. A Postmaster and Postal Clerk are responsible for the movement, sorting, and distribution of mail at McMurdo Station. At the post office, you can buy stamps, envelopes, and money orders, send mail, and pick up insured, or certified mail.