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  • Photo feature: Last light at South Pole brings 6 months of darkness
    MARCH 20, 2025: The setting sun at NOAA's South Pole Atmospheric Baseline Observatory.  Dark Sector telescopes and a final glimpse of sunlight are framed by a wave of snow, setting off six months of darkness at the South Pole.

    MARCH 20, 2025: At NOAA's South Pole Atmospheric Baseline Observatory, a wave of snow frames Dark Sector telescopes, giving a final glimpse of sunlight before six months of darkness. (Image credit: Ian Crocker/NOAA)

    In the Northern Hemisphere, March 20 signals the start of spring. It's the start of fall in the Southern Hemisphere, where researchers and staff at NOAA’s South Pole Observatory recently witnessed the fading light of the sun and the start of six months of darkness. 

    “As the sun gets low on the horizon and temperatures continue to drop, the sky transitions from the bright, crisp blue we had seen since our arrival many months ago, to slowly reveal shades of green and orange, pink and violet,” said Ian Crocker, a South Pole station technician with NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory. 

    Crocker and his colleagues will help continue NOAA’s mission at the observatory throughout the 2025 Antarctic winter, including taking measurements of ozone, greenhouse gases, aerosols and solar radiation.

    The stark, surreal beauty of this place and this time of transition is unlike any other.

    Ian Crocker, NOAA GML South Pole station technician

     

    NOAA’s South Pole Atmospheric Research Observatory and a kaleidoscopic sky.
    NOAA’s South Pole Atmospheric Research Observatory and a kaleidoscopic sunset. (Image credit: Ian Crocker/NOAA)

     

    NOAA’s South Pole Observatory is part of the National Science Foundation’s Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station — located at the geographic South Pole on the Antarctic plateau at an elevation of 2,837 meters above sea level. For nine months each year, no flights go in or out of the research station because aircraft systems don’t work in such cold conditions.  

    A green sky and nearly full moon above the Dark Sector and Ceremonial South Pole. The Dark Sector is a designated area where light and electromagnetic interference are minimized to support sensitive scientific instruments.
    A green sky and nearly full moon above the Dark Sector and Ceremonial South Pole. The Dark Sector is a designated area where light and electromagnetic interference are minimized to support sensitive scientific instruments. (Image credit: Ian Crocker/NOAA)

    During their one-year tours of duty at the observatory, GML staff members experience just one sunrise and one sunset — so they won’t see the sun rise for six months. 

    Crocker shares what that experience means to him: “The stark, surreal beauty of this place and this time of transition is unlike any other. It elicits feelings of wondrous awe, deep gratitude, a contemplative curiosity about the dark months ahead and knowing that this experience will leave an imprint on our lives forever.” 

    Want to see for yourself what it's like at the South Pole right now? Check out this live webcam.

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  • Celebrate #EarthMonth and #CitizenScienceMonth with NOAA
    A doodled graphic of a hand holding a heart above the Earth, which has a piggy bank slot on it. The Earth has the text “Happy Earth Day” on it and is surrounded by drawings of nature including hills, forests, mountains, and the ocean as well as the text “Invest in Our Planet.”

    Happy Earth Day from NOAA Education! (Image credit: NOAA Education)

     

     

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  • Meet the citizen scientists supporting NOAA’s mission
    Three photos of citizen science volunteers. From left to right, the first photo is of Shelby wearing a raincoat and hat, standing on a cliff near a foggy coastline. Second, Esther and Jerry stand together on a sandy beach holding turtle monitoring equipment. Third, Craig Wollam holds a large fish while standing on a boat with the coastline in the background.

    For Citizen Science Month, we're celebrating our amazing volunteers that contribute to NOAA’s research and programs. Pictured here, from left to right: Shelby Smith, Esther and Jerry R., and Craig Wollam. (Image credit: NOAA Education)

    From the field to the classroom, participants across the country are jumping in to participate in NOAA’s citizen science projects. Whether you’re interested in documenting fish from historical photos, observing the weather in your community, or reporting marine debris during your beach vacation, there are many ways to participate in the scientific process. This April, for Citizen Science Month, we are proud to acknowledge volunteers from our projects to spotlight their contributions to NOAA’s research and programs.

    Volunteer spotlight: Shelby Smith

    Why do you participate in this project?

    I participate in this project to learn more about how plastics are affecting the Oregon Coast, but also as a way to introduce groups to marine debris. It’s a great way to connect with my community and raise awareness about environmental issues, including plastic pollution. I also find completing these surveys to be personally rewarding and fulfilling.

    What’s your proudest accomplishment or contribution as a citizen scientist?

    My proudest accomplishment as a community scientist has been involving many people, especially Gen Z and younger, in community science projects worldwide. Engaging our younger generations in outdoor education is one of the most effective ways to facilitate change. By inspiring them to participate in these programs, we provide hands-on experiences that can transform their worldview and inspire long-lasting change.

    Has your participation affected you? How have you benefited from being involved?

    I’ve gained a deeper understanding of marine debris issues and their impacts on our ecosystem. This program has given me a sense of empowerment over an issue that can make you feel helpless. Marine debris is an overwhelming issue, but through this monitoring program, I feel as if I’m contributing to something that can produce tangible results and provide information that will contribute to long-term change.


    Volunteer spotlight: Jerry and Esther R.

    Why do you participate in this project?

    One of our daughters is very active in citizen science work in the Rocky Mountains. Following her example when we moved to Maui, we became volunteers for Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund Honu Watch. This has put us in an excellent position to observe a significant sample size of Hawaiian green sea turtles on a regular basis. Researchers cannot be everywhere all the time, especially considering the vast distances traveled by the honu. Our input through the NOAA Fisheries web reporting system helps provide more complete data for the research teams.

    What’s your proudest accomplishment or contribution as a citizen scientist?

    We have had over 70 sightings of 30 unique honu since starting in 2023. While the researchers have the big picture view of the turtle movements and migrations, a highlight for us is to see which turtles come and go in our area and how often. We keep a small monocular and camera with us all the time so we can make observations from a safe distance, and it is fun to be on the lookout for our numbered friends. Part of the mission of Hawaii Wildlife Fund is to educate the public about honu. Explaining the journey that the honu make to their nesting grounds really amazes the people that come to see them.

    How has your participation affected you? How have you benefited from being involved?

    We have benefited by learning about the honu and do our best to protect them. Teaching others about the honu and how to respect them has become a big part of our time while observing the turtles. We have also started to learn about interactions within the ecosystems and how a perturbation in one area can cascade into others with disastrous effects. Our participation has inspired us to take on other actions such as doing cleanups at Ka’Ehu Beach with Sharkastics, and making our own personal effort to reduce the use of plastics. Education is vital for conserving this magnificent species, so thank you to NOAA Fisheries for this project. A big mahalo to Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and Sharkastics for all they do in the Hawaiian islands.

    Two Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) lay on a sandy beach.
    Two Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) lay on a sandy beach. (Image credit: Jerry and Esther R.)

    In memory of Craig Wollam

    Craig Wollam became an active participatory scientist after retiring from his engineering career. After receiving a tour from the station lead, he asked how he could start volunteering. Throughout his years as a citizen scientist, Craig filled a valuable role on several projects at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, including the:

    • Skagit River Estuary Intensively Monitored Watershed Project
    • Snohomish River Monitoring Project
    • Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration Project
    • Elwha Dam Removal Project

    When Craig wasn’t busy hauling nets or pulling seines, he could be found tinkering with equipment, including adding floats to sorting baskets and length boards so they wouldn’t sink to the bottom of tanks. He spent many hours assisting marine biologists with processing catch of salmonids, creating new equipment for the scientists, or getting on his hands and knees in small confined spaces to make repairs to critical components on small boats. Craig was willing to contribute to projects in any way possible to support the program.

    Craig was the template of inspiration, he will always have a space in my heart and I am forever grateful our track lines crossed.

    Wes Parker, Vessel Operations Coordinator

    Craig’s enthusiasm for the projects he participated in was a true representation of the spirit of participatory science. The loss from his passing is felt by the programs he supported and the crew.

    A multi-photo collage showing Craig performing different citizen science activities. Some tasks include holding a fish for a photo, sorting through a small catch of fish, pulling in a net, and examining water samples.
    Craig Wollam filled many roles as a citizen scientist working with the NOAA Fisheries Science Center in coastal Washington. (Image credit: Anna Kagley)
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  • Can whales store carbon?
    North Pacific right whale. 

    North Pacific right whale.  (Image credit: Brenda K. Rone)

     

     

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  • Water level observations return to flood-prone Potomac River
    Aerial view of Harpers Ferry, showing the confluence of the Potomac River with the Shenandoah River.

    Aerial view of Harpers Ferry, showing the confluence of the Potomac River with the Shenandoah River. (Image credit: National Park Service)

     

     

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