Sunday, 2 July 1911

Amundsen

The Aurora Australis over the South Pole. Photo by Keith Vanderlinde / National Science Foundation. [1]

The aurora, Amundsen wrote, stretched "in mighty curtains .... It was a lovely sight. It was as if in its light and power it wanted to fight a battle with the dawn over who would be first. In giant folds it thrust forwards, withdrew again and once more forced itself forwards -- shining in bright green, yellow & red. But, although its attack was violent, it had to give way to the dawn that slowly but surely was working its way up." [2]

"Sun, oh Sun, Thou art on the way back to us again, and a boundless welcome shalt Thou have. He first learns to treasure Thy blessed powers who once has been deprived of them. Life Thou givest; health and wellbeing."

The first part of the winter "has passed in a flash. Time has fled, but the memories are made .... [It] may seem odd but ... it is certain that not one of us have any doubts that we shall get through. There are no 'buts' to be heard. The matter seems decided. And so it ought to be. A lot will have to come in our way to deprive us from our goal. May the Almighty God be with us!" [3]


Notes:

[1] National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs.
[2] Roald Amundsen, diary, 3 July, 1911, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.381.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 3 July, 1911, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.391.

Sunday, 21 May 1911

Amundsen

Aurora australis display, here at Wellington, New Zealand, in November 2001. [1]

"Good weather," Amundsen wrote. "Still and clear -46° .... Tomorrow we will have the door to the entrance installed, and thereby the whole of this huge snow complex will be finished.... It is difficult to describe the beautiful scene I saw when I came out of my dog tent this afternoon. Low down on the S.W. horizon was the moon -- shining yellow -- just over the rooftop of our hut -- or snow mound. In the S.W. sky the Southern Lights played in many forms and colours -- and high up there one sees the Southern Cross among an army of glittering, shining worlds. Like a fairy tale, the big, pointed ... tents rise up, all illuminated as if in celebration.... If only I could paint -- if only I could." [2]


Notes:

[1] Wikipedia.
[2] Roald Amundsen, diary, 22 May, 1911, quoted by Roland Huntford in The Amundsen Photographs, (London : Hodder & Stoughton, c1987), p.114.

Monday, 27 March 1911

Amundsen

The aurora australis, photographed in Antarctica by Samuel Blanc in April, 2006. [1]

"The aurora australis was seen for the first time on the evening of March 28," Amundsen wrote later. "It was composed of shafts and bands, and extended from the south-west to the north-east through the zenith. The light was pale green and red. We see many fine sunsets here, unique in the splendour of their colour. No doubt the surroundings in this fairyland of blue and white do much to increase their beauty." [2]


Notes:

[1] Wikimedia Commons.
[2] Roald Amundsen, The South Pole, ch.6.