The 2013 Pole Marker

Pole marker unveiled 1 January 2013

On 1 January 2013 the latest new South Pole marker was unveiled. This unique object was both designed and fabricated by the 2012 w/o machinist Derek Aboltins. (BK)

2013 South Pole marker
The marker features the astronomical symbols of the Sun, Moon, and planets, as well as the Southern Cross, based on their positions in the sky on 1 January. The small copper star marks the South Pole.(WH)
side view of marker
The large brass star represents astronomy and astrophysics research extending out past the solar system. The marker can be rotated to align the object positions based on the time of day. (BK)
accomplishment, part of motto
modesty, part of motto
Above, a closeup of the motto inscribed above the Moon, "Accomplishment and Modesty." This was Derek's reference to honor Neil Armstrong, who passed away while he was making this section with the moon. (BK)
Mars astronomical symbol
Here's a closeup of Mars, one of the planetary symbols. (BK)
underside of marker with signatures of the 2012 winterovers
The underside of the marker has the signatures of the 2012 winterovers...as well as Pluto. (BK)
Weeks waiting for the ceremony to begin
Here's Weeks Heist (right) waiting for the ceremony to begin. Next to him...Leah Street and Bill Coughran. (WH)
moving the flag
Moving the flag.... (WH)
securing the flag in its new location


Securing the flag in its new location. (WH)
Weeks makes a speech
Time for the speech...(WH)
crowd watching the Pole marker ceremony
...and here's the watching crowd. (WH)
Original marker design voted on during the 2012 winter
Here's the original marker design, one of 17 (!) voted on by the 2012 winterovers. This photo and more, and information about the marker's construction, can be found in this blog post (in Spanish) by 2012 w/o Carlos Pobes.

Here's Blaise Kuo Tiong's video of Weeks' speech and the actual unveiling. Much of the speech is a reading and interpretation of Derek Aboltins' description of the marker and its various features. Derek wrote: "...this year I wanted to return the marker to more of a traditional geographical marker, and simplify the design. So rather than celebrating an event, it's back to marking the southernmost point on our Earth. As a result, this one has lots of pointy bits (!)" (BK).

Also worth checking out is Jeffrey Donenfeld's Antarctic Sun coverage of the event, published 11 January 2013...



Credits and thanks to Weeks Heist (WH) and Blaise Kuo Tiong (BK) for the photos and that great video!