Weather conditions and station activities at the South Pole can be viewed in near real-time using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Global Monitoring Division South Pole webcam, mounted on the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO).
As part of the International Polar Year 2007-08, researchers at the South Pole Station were among a group of scientists who used cameras and blogs to document their daily lives whilst they carried out their research. These media were uploaded to the Exploratorium website, providing a fascinating insight into the Antarctic research experience.
Original photographic footage and diary extracts from Scott’s ill-fated 1912 expedition to the South Pole were used by Henry Ponting as the basis for his film 90° South (1933). The Antarctic accomplishments of US Navy Commander Richard E. Byrd and the first flight over the South Pole are documented in the film With Byrd at the South Pole (1930).
Television, video and audio clips have been taken for a range of more recent expeditions, including the 2009 Omega 3 South Pole Race, involving James Cracknell and Ben Fogle. In addition, many websites have been set up by independent visitors to the Pole, providing photographic galleries, in-depth accounts of day-to-day life in Antarctica, and stories from historic and recent expeditions.
It is increasingly common for Antarctic expedition members to write blogs from which members of the public can track the expedition’s progress, access information about the areas visited, and even contact the explorers themselves.
Film-makers at the South Pole have previously participated in the Winter International Film Festival of Antarctica created by communications engineer and photographer Anthony Powell. Details of 2009 winners.