A special moment marked the beginning of a long and challenging period at Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica in early June: the Sun disappeared from the sky for several weeks. With the onset of the polar night, daylight vanishes completely. The Sun will not rise above the horizon again until mid-July.
On this memorable day, the sky was unexpectedly clear. After a series of severe snowstorms, members of the research station gathered during their lunch break at the highest point of Ongul Island, the astronomical observation site. The icy air was calm, and the sky was a deep blue. Despite the cold, there was a sense of anticipation in the atmosphere, as no one knew whether the Sun would make one final appearance.
For many minutes, the researchers and technicians stared toward the horizon. A dense bank of clouds lay there like a curtain between heaven and earth. Hope was already beginning to fade when suddenly a narrow beam of light broke through the clouds. It was not a radiant sunrise but rather a final greeting—faint, delicate, and yet remarkably powerful. For a brief moment, Antarctica seemed to stand still. The light gave the frozen landscape an almost otherworldly atmosphere and reminded everyone present just how precious the Sun is in this remote corner of the world.
While waiting, an extraordinary spectacle provided additional excitement. Boiling water was thrown into the air, creating what the station members called “hot water fireworks.” The water instantly transformed into a sparkling mist upon contact with the frigid air, rising into the clear sky like silver smoke. Against the backdrop of snow, ice, and endless expanses, the scene appeared almost magical.
Now the season of darkness begins for the residents of Showa Station. For weeks, the Sun will not rise again. The absence of daylight places both body and mind under considerable strain. Sleep patterns, motivation, and well-being are challenged every day. Yet it is precisely in this extreme environment that the strength of the community becomes evident. Together, the station members will endure the long polar night, sustained by camaraderie, scientific curiosity, and the certainty that one day the Sun will return.
Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal