South Pole visitors

They were on hand for the official dedication of a new scientific station at the geographic South Pole, designed for large-scale experiments in disciplines ranging from astrophysics to environmental chemistry and seismology. Lane helped get the project funded when he was director of the National Science Foundation. The station is named for two explorers who first left evidence of habitation at the South Pole.

The pole is a cold, high desert; the Amundsen-Scott station sits atop nearly two miles of solid ice, at an elevation of 9,300 feet.

“NSF has traditionally been assigned the responsibility for maintaining a U.S. presence at the geographic South Pole and supporting scientific research,” Lane said. “Because of the special conditions at the Pole, it is one of the best places on earth to do astronomy and make observations on the ozone hole and greenhouse gases.”

Lane said experiments at the new polar station may help scientists better understand ‘dark matter,’ the creation of the universe and mysterious particles like neutrinos.

Lane opened his parka in the -39 degree wind chill to reveal his Rice T-shirt, while Karsner ’89 removed his glove to show his Rice ring.

It was Lane’s fourth trip to the South Pole; he said he expected it will be his last.