Olav Bjaaland./ Wikipedia
Wednesday marks the 100th anniversary of explorer Roald Amundsen becoming the first to reach the South Pole. In this image Amundsen, Helmer Hanssen, Sverre Hassel and Oscar Wisting (l
The base at Framheim, February 1911 Wikipedia
U.S. Navy NAVFAC Archives
Over the decades, scientists and support personnel have conducted research at the South Pole on myriad projects. But the conditions are anything but balmy as evidenced by this 1960 photo. The ice sheet below South Pole is nearly two miles thick
Dick Prescott National Science Foundation
A C-124 Cargo plane airdrops lumber to U.S. Navy Seabees at the South Pole, December 1956 as they went about the construction of a research station.
Dick Prescott, National Science Foundation
A Dec. 4, 1956 aerial view of the first permanent station at the South Pole
Dave Grisez, National Science Foundation
This C-47 was the first airplane to land at the South Pole on Oct. 31, 1956.
U.S. Navy, National Science Foundation
Group shot of the U.S. Navy Seabees who built the first South Pole station. Work was completed in late December, 1956
Keith Vanderlinde, National Science Foundation
Today the South Pole Telescope collects data on cosmic microwave background radiation and black matter
Ann Hawthorne, National Science Foundation
The South Pole offers six months of constant sunlight for studying the sun. This 1985 image shows researcher Martin Pomerantz at the Pole
Calee Allen, National Science Foundation
Weather balloons launched at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The base was named in honor of two explorers. Norwegian Roald Amundsen led the first successful expedition to the South Pole 100 years ago. The other half of the base's name was in memory of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott, who lost the race against Amundsen and arrived at the South Pole more than month later, only to find Amundsen's tent, a Norwegian flag and a letter from Amundsen. Scott and four companions died on the way out.
National Science Foundation
Dome of the South Pole station, which was completed in 1975
U.S. Navy
1993 overhead shot of the geodisc dome and support tunnels at the South Pole Station
Peter West, NAtional Science Foundation
The entrance to the dome filled up with snow and ice accumulation, as demonstrated in this 1975 photo. It ultimately required the digging of an access tunnel
Patrick Hovey, National Science Foundation
Korean War vintage Jamesway huts
J. Dana Hrubes, Space Sciences Laboratory, South Pole Station
U.S. flag, backlit by Southern Lights, flies at half staff in June 2004 in memory of former President Ronald Reagan. The flag was also lowered after the 9/11 terror attacks and the Space Shuttle Columbia loss in 2003
Peter West, National Science Foundation
No longer any need for roughing it. A look at the base recreation room
Scott Jackson, National Science Foundation
Isolation of the U.S. South Pole Station. The nearest human habitation is McMurdo Station on Ross Island, about 900 miles away
Glenn Grant, National Science Foundation
2008 ceremony including the 12 original signatory nations of the Antarctic Treaty
Chris Danals, National Science Foundation
July 2005 image taken during the 6-month-long Antarctic night.
cot Jackson, National Science Foundation
Aerial photo taken in 2005 of new South Pole station. The older station is at lower left
D.A. Harper Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica
South Pole Infrared Explorer was used to probe areas where new stars form by recording their infrared emissions.
NOAA
Atmospheric Research Observatory tracks changes in the Earth's atmosphere
National Science Foundation/USAP
Tumbleweed rover is an experimental device designed to land on other planets. In 2004 tests, it has traveled more than 40 miles around the pole.
Charles Cooper is an executive editor at CNET News. He has covered technology and business for more than 25 years, working at CBSNews.com, the Associated Press, Computer & Software News, Computer Shopper, PC Week, and ZDNet. E-mail Charlie.