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After 4 months of darkness, the Sun lastly rises on 11 August at Concordia analysis station in Antarctica. The crew are understandably reverent.ESA-sponsored medical physician Stijn Thoolen (left) and engineer Wenceslas Marie-Sainte (proper) are a part of the 12-member crew spending a whole yr at Concordia. For 9 months they’re holding down the base in considered one of the most remoted, confined and excessive environments on Earth, with no means in or out of the station. They run experiments in human physiology and biology, atmospheric physics, meteorology and astronomy, amongst different disciplines, in addition to keep the base – considered one of solely three to run year-round on the Antarctic Peninsula.Four months of full darkness is sort of the problem, one researchers are very excited by learning from a physiological and psychological perspective. From questionnaires to blood and stool samples, the crew are poked and prodded to perceive how higher to put together people for deep house journey.Social dynamics are additionally of curiosity to researchers throughout the interval of darkness. Stress introduced on by lack of daylight, altering sleep patterns, fatigue and moodiness can have an effect on the group. The crew are particularly inspired to tackle group actions and get artistic to fight the isolation of the winter.The first dawn is at all times a exceptional second, signalling the dwelling stretch of their Antarctic residency. From now on the winter crew will begin getting ready for summer time and the return of scientists that arrive for the hotter months beginning in November. The base is cleaned completely, equipment is serviced, tents are erected and heated, and the runway is cleared of snow. Extensive work is required to welcome the new arrivals again to the base at the finish of the world. Follow the adventures in science and socialisation at Concordia on the weblog.
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