Dr. Jerri
Neilsen, along with forty other people, have been working at the South
Pole all by themselves since February 15, 1999. The weather is so cold
there that no one has been able to come or go in over six months.
Back in
July of 1999, Dr. Nielsen discovered a lump on herself that may be cancer.
Due to the extreme cold temperatures, she has not been able to leave
the South Pole for any medical treatment.
If weather
will allow, an airplane will pick her up next week and take her to where
she can see a doctor. This pick-up trip will be two weeks ahead of schedule.
The South
Pole has a very cold climate. On September 20, 1999 the sun came up
there for the first time since March 20,1999 (that is six months!).
The average temperature for October at the South Pole is between minus
56 and minus 65 degrees Fahrenheit! Temperatures as low as minus 96
degrees have even been recorded in October! December is the warmest
month at the South Pole when the average temperature at that time ranges
between minus 15 and minus 21 degrees!
The plane
that will try to pick Dr. Nielsen up is called LC-130 Hercules. The
temperature outside must be above minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit in order
for this plane to land. If the air is any colder, it is too dangerous
because of possible problems with the plane's fuel system.
Another
doctor will go to the South Pole to take over for Dr. Nielsen.
