Waiting for Sunrise in Antarctica

Ashlee Aldridge wrote this.

It is from ABC Goulburn Murray.

The topic is Antarctic Research.

It was published on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 9:05 am.

Someone took a photo of the first sunrise in weeks.

For six weeks, the sun did not rise at an Australian Antarctic station.

Twenty-six people at the station watched the first sunrise together.

The sun was only visible for 24 minutes.

People at the station gathered to see the sunrise.

Gavin Melgaard is a weather observer at the station.

Gavin Melgaard has been to Antarctica five times.

He lives and works at the station for a year.

It is his fifth time in Antarctica in 14 years.

He applied for the job 18 months ago and had special training.

The Antarctic winter is very dark, but not completely.

Gavin said it is not completely dark, which is good.

There are 26 people from Australia living at the station.

Not having sunlight can make people grumpy.

Gavin said people get tired and grumpy without sunlight.

But they prepare and have social events to help.

The station is like a big shared house.

They had a big party in June to celebrate the darkness.

Gavin said the station is like a big shared house, but you can't leave in winter.

In summer, you might be able to leave by plane in an emergency.

But in winter, you are stuck at the station.

Gavin said being away from home is hard, but technology helps.

Gavin and another man are at the station.

Gavin said communications are much better now.

He can talk to people back home every day.

Despite being isolated, Gavin keeps coming back.

He took a photo of the aurora at the station.

Gavin said the small community and people are why he returns.

He said the environment is amazing and each station is different.

The wildlife is another reason he keeps coming back.

Gavin said the emperor penguins are his favorite.

He said watching 20,000 penguins is amazing.

Gavin's work is regular, even in the amazing setting.

He takes weather observations five days a week.

The team releases weather balloons to collect data.

Gavin said they need to do weather observations for helicopter safety.

When not working, the team enjoys life at the station.

There is a library and a small cinema at the station.

Gavin said he likes to go to nearby huts on weekends.

He said it is like a camping trip, but very cold.

It was Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 9:05 am.

It was Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 11:07 am.

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