For six weeks the sun did not rise above the horizon at Australia’s southernmost Antarctic research station.
26 people from across Australia who had spent the winter at Davis Station gathered outside to watch the first sunrise after weeks of no direct sunlight.
When he finally returned on July 10, he only appeared for 24 minutes.
Expeditioners gather at Davis Station to enjoy 24 minutes of sunshine. (Attached: Gavin Melgaard)
For Bureau of Meteorology observer Gavin Melgaard from Bright in north-east Victoria, the brief return of daylight was enough to lift spirits after one of the darkest periods of the Antarctic winter.
“It was pretty exciting. It only lasted 24 minutes, but it was still a real lift and a great change of mood to see the Sun after such a long time.”
– he said.
“We had a small party just off the coast and we all watched with great anticipation and excitement as it rose over the horizon.”
Gavin Melgaard is on his fifth Antarctic expedition. (Attached: Gavin Melgaard)
Mr. Melgard has been living and working at Davis Station for a year now.
This is his fifth Antarctic expedition in 14 years.
He applied for the new position about 18 months ago and, after several months of specialized training, traveled south by ship, arriving at Davis Station about a month later.
Although the Antarctic winter is defined by weeks when the sun does not rise above the horizon, Mr Melgaard said it was not completely dark.
“No, thank God it’s not like that,” he said.
“There may be an hour or two of twilight every day.”
During the winter, 26 expeditions from across Australia call Davis Station home. (Attached: Gavin Melgaard)
Despite this, lack of sunlight can affect people’s moods.
“I think when you lose sunshine or (in) winter time, you maybe get a little more tired and people maybe get a little more grumpy,” he said.
“But I think knowing it’s going to happen, being prepared and having multiple mechanisms (helps). We have several community events.”
“Big Common House”
The station’s annual winter celebration in June was one of the largest events on the calendar, with a focus on “celebration and immersion in darkness.”
Davis Station is Australia’s southernmost Antarctic station. (Attached: Gavin Melgaard)
Mr Melgaard described life at Davis Station as a “big communal house”, but leaving Antarctica in winter was impossible.
“It’s impossible to get out in the winter,” he said.
“In the summer, in case of an emergency, it will probably be possible to get out by plane.
“But in the winter you’re stuck here. So, you’re here the whole time.”
Mr Melgaard said being away from his wife and home in Bright for so long could be difficult, although advances in technology had made keeping in touch much easier.
Gavin Melgaard and Nelson Clegg at Davis Station. (Attached: Gavin Melgaard)
“Fortunately, communication is much better now than in the past,” he said.
“So you can keep in touch with people back home every day.
“But like anything, when you’re gone for so long it can be difficult. Some days are a little harder than others, but that’s part of the challenge of being here.”
Despite the isolation, he continued to return.
Aurora is captured at Davis Station. (Attached: Gavin Melgaard)
“I think it’s about the small community and the people,” Mr. Melgaard said.
“The setting is amazing. I was at three of the four stations.
“They’re all a little different in their own way and have a lot to offer.”
Wildlife was another reason he kept coming back.
Gavin Melgaard says wildlife is the highlight of life at the research station. (Attached: Gavin Melgaard)
“Seeing animals and environments that you will never see anywhere else on earth is a huge advantage for me.”
– he said.
“I don’t think you can get past the emperor penguins, watching 20,000 of them go through the life cycle of cute little babies and as they grow up and then pass on, I think this would be my favorite movie.”
Despite the unusual situation, work is carried out according to the usual schedule.
Mr. Melgaard conducts weather observations five days a week. The team launches two weather balloons every day to collect data for weather forecasting and climate research, and launches one ozone balloon every week to monitor the ozone layer.
A group of elephant seals was caught near Davis Station. (Attached: Gavin Melgaard)
During the summer, the station also supported helicopter operations.
“There are quite a lot of helicopters and airplanes here,” Mr Melgaard said.
“So we need to do weather observations to make sure they’re safe.”
In their free time, expeditioners enjoy life at the station.
There is a library, a “very small cinema” and nearby field huts for a weekend away from the main station.
“On the weekends there are a bunch of shacks about an hour or two away from here, and I try to get to them,” he said.
“I do overnight trips; I just went to one over the weekend and it was minus 25 degrees.
“It’s like hiking.”