News

Sunset at the South Pole signals 6 months of darkness

On March 20 the Northern Hemisphere had its first full day of spring. But for researchers and staff at NOAA’s South Pole Observatory, March 20 brought austral autumn, and along with it the last appearance of the sun at the South Pole for six months.

Photo story: Flying north for the winter

In mid-February, scientists and staff working at Amundsen Scott Station in Antarctica — including researchers from NOAA — boarded a specially equipped Air National Guard C-130 for the last scheduled flight for nine months.

2023 ozone hole ranks 12th largest on record, find NOAA and NASA

The 2023 Antarctic ozone hole reached its maximum size at 10 million square miles (26 million square kilometers) on September 21, which ranks as the 12th largest since 1979, according to annual satellite and balloon-based measurements made by NOAA and NASA.

Photo feature: 'First bit of orange glow’ greets NOAA crew at South Pole

After six months of darkness, the return of the sun at the South Pole signals the arrival of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. For scientists at NOAA’s South Pole Atmospheric Baseline Observatory (SPO), that’s a welcome sight.

Antarctic ozone hole slightly smaller in 2022

The hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica in 2022 had an average area slightly smaller than the extent reached in 2021, and well below the average seen in 2006 when the hole size peaked.

A lucky guess? Learn the science of ozone depletion with NOAA and NASA!

As NOAA and NASA announced the 2021 Antarctic ozone hole condition on October 27, the 8th- and 9th-grade science classroom at Lafayette Junior/Senior High School also concluded their first science project on ozone hole prediction.

Antarctic ozone hole is 13th largest on record and expected to persist into November

The 2021 Antarctic ozone hole reached its maximum area on October 7 and ranks 13th largest since 1979, scientists from NOAA and NASA reported today.

The 2021 Ozone Hole – So it begins…

The 2021 Antarctic ozone hole is taking shape as we move into the ozone depletion season.

Women’s History Month: A conversation with NOAA Corps Officer LTJG Marisa about her 13 months “on the ice”

In honor of Women’s History Month, Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) is highlighting some of the great work done by our scientists. Today’s story expands on a previous one introducing a day in the life at the South Pole for NOAA Corps Officer Lieutenant Junior Grade Marisa Gedney, who served as a Station Officer at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica.

Large, deep Antarctic ozone hole to persist into November

Persistent cold temperatures and strong circumpolar winds supported the formation of a large and deep Antarctic ozone hole that will persist into November, NOAA and NASA scientists reported today.

2019 ozone hole smallest on record

Abnormal weather patterns in the upper atmosphere over Antarctica dramatically limited ozone depletion in September and October, resulting in the smallest ozone hole observed since 1982.

Ozone hole modest despite conditions ripe for depletion

The ozone hole that forms in the upper atmosphere over Antarctica each September was slightly above average size in 2018, NOAA and NASA scientists reported today.

Photo feature: A ‘welcoming’ sun returns to the South Pole

The fall equinox means the end of summer for the Northern Hemisphere, but marks the beginning of spring — and the first glimpse of the sun since March — for scientists at NOAA’s South Pole Atmospheric Baseline Observatory located at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Station.

Featured photo: Last call at the South Pole, for now

As hints of spring appear across the United States, NOAA’s first all-women crew at the South Pole atmospheric observatory are half a world away, ready for Antarctica’s brutal, six-month polar night.

Warm air helped make 2017 ozone hole smallest since 1988

Measurements from satellites this year showed the hole in Earth’s ozone layer that forms over Antarctica each September was the smallest observed since 1988, scientists from NASA and NOAA announced today.