The following photos are from the 2003-04 season and have been taken by Scott F. Smith. We have larger size images of all these illustrations available on request. The illustrations are approximately in chronological order

An interesting shot with the arch garage building in front and the old Dome station behind

The old New South Wales (Australia) AASTO science building

A close up of the Australian AASTO Observatory building. This is due for removal shortly.

A remote mounted telescope part of the Australian South Pole Science Observatory

AMANDA and other Science Buildings of the "Dark Sector" at the South Pole

A different angled view of the "Dark Sector" Astronomical buildings

Here we see the start of the demolition of the "freeshy shack". Beer and Soda (Fizzy drink) was stored here. The Old Dome gym is next on the list for demolition.

While clearing out gear from the old Dome station various relics have been uncovered.

Inside the Dome the weather often has its own patterns.

A plywood sheet found inside the dome relates to the 1982 XD-03 Hercules crash

A back view of the new Elevated Station taken in November 2003

A typical South Pole view showing the nearly buried Dome Station.

Main Street at the South Pole

Another closer view of Main Street with the elevated station in the background with the silver "Beer Can" elevator/stairwell at left front.

National Science Foundation Hercules Skier 63301. The original Navy aircraft XD-02 returns to the South Pole after rebuild.

A closer view of Skier 63301 on the deck at the South Pole.  We understand that this aircraft was the one which later had a ski nose collapse in the Ford Range in Marie Byrd Land on December 4th.

A view from November 23rd showing an Air Chile 747 chartered aircraft passing over the South Pole on a Antarctic Solar Eclipse flight from Chile.   It was chartered by Sky and Telescope magazine.  On that day a new record low temperature was recorded for that day's date at the South Pole. The new record low is now -42.9 (C) or 45.2 (F). The temperature was at about -40 below and then with the eclipse it dropped an additional 5 degrees.

The Elevated Pole Station photographed 29th November, 2003

An angular view showing the 3rd pod extensions on the right

A Twin Otter operated by Ken Borek Aviation alongside the elevated station. This aircraft was involved in an air sampling project.

The above view gives a good picture of progress by the end of November, 2003 with the third pod visible in the foreground

The first group of tourists for the 2003-04 season arrived by Twin Otter aircraft about midnight on the 4th of December. The 3 skiers on board were intending to ski back to Patriot Hills from the South Pole. Their aircraft is shown with the actual geographic South Pole marker sign in the foreground.

The three skiers about to start out from the South Pole  with their parachutes set out in front. Behind them can be seen various science buildings from the Astronomy dark sector

The skiers with a Twin Otter in the foreground.

The first of the skiers inflates his parachute.

A beautiful view of the elevated station taken in the 2nd week of December, 2003

The sleeping dorms which some old "polies" prefer to the new Elevated Station accomodation

The parking lot at South Pole showing  twin otter aircraft and cargo piles

A back view of the elevated station

The arrival of an English private Bell 407 helicopter on Tuesday 17th December was timed to co-incide with the centenary of the Wright Brothers historic flight of 1903.

A close up view of the Helicopter about to land.

A view of the helicopter with the ceremonial South Pole in the foreground.

The Bell 407 landed and crew meeting South Pole residents with the actual geographic South Pole marker shown in the left foreground.

The helicopter with the old Dome building behind and the new Elevated Station at right

A rear view of the helicopter also showing work continuing on the new pod of the Elevated Station.

A classic "hero shot" of the helicopter with the ceremonial South Pole and the ring of flags of nations.

Note: On the 20th of December news was received that this helicopter with both people on board crashed near Patriot Hills on its return. Both patients have been injured and were scheduled to be medevacued out to Punta Arenas in Southern Chile at the time this is being written. Check out our "Recent Antarctic News" page for updates.

A great view of the telescopes of the science sector buildings with the new elevated station behind. Photo taken after xmas day in December 2003.