Scott Base, Ross Island, Antarctica by Ella Derbyshire

Nikon D80's

Scott Base is the Capital of the Ross Dependency, and it is New Zealand's primary reasearch station on Antarctica. Right now the population of the station, according to the sign, is 16 but there seemed to be a lot more people milling around today. The station is occupied year-round. The overwinter crew usually numbers 12 - 16.

Ross Island is almost directly due south from Christchurch, New Zealand, which is the city from which most Amrerican reseachers and United States Antarctic Program employees deploy to Antarcctica.

Scott Base and McMurdo Research Station share Ross Island. It is a pleasant uphill/downhill walk for folks stationed on one base to visit the other. The view as you get to the top of the hill is a long one if the weather cooperates. Today was a partly cloudy day, and so there is a lot mist and shadow mixed with some very bright bands on the ice.

Looking out on the ice beyond the unique green buildings you will see an ice road with some vehicles traveling to the airfield. The LC-130's that bring most of the supplies from McMurdo to the continent's interior take off from this airport on ice.

The 27 images of this panorama were photographed with a Nikon D80 and stitched with Autopano Pro.