New South Pole Marker

The new South Pole Marker in Antarctica, has been revealed and set in place, and honors planets, Pluto and Niel Armstrong. The new marker shows the position of the planets as viewed from the Pole on January 1, 2013. Image © Jeffrey Donenfeld

The new brass-and-copper South Pole Marker and the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, are siting on a moving sheet of ice more than two miles (3 kilometers) thick.

The ice drifts about 30 feet (9 meters) per year. That’s the reason, every year in early January, the marker is moved to the new correct position.

Station machinist Derek Aboltins how created the 2013 South Pole Marker, said:

“This was a reference to honor Neil Armstrong, as he passed away when I was making this section with the moon.

For those of you who still think Pluto should be a planet, you’ll find it included underneath, just to keep everyone happy. Bring back Pluto, I say!”

The underside of the new South Pole marker with the signatures of those who wintered at South Pole Station in 2012. Image © Jeffrey Donenfeld