LINCOLN SQUARE — Winters at the South Pole are brutal — temperatures can plummet to 100 degrees below zero and the sun never rises.
Those also happen to be ideal conditions for serious star gazing.
Scientist Erik Shirokoff, an associate professor in the University of Chicago's astronomy and astrophysics department, spent a year conducting research at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and will share his experiences during a discussion Tuesday at Sulzer Library.
Amundsen-Scott is one of three U.S. research stations in Antarctica, and the closest to the actual pole. Only 50 people inhabit the station over the pole's winter months — Shirokoff was Amundsen-Scott's science station leader in the winter of 2009.
The South Pole Telescope, operational since 2007, benefits from the pole's exceptionally clear, dry and stable atmosphere. Scientists take advantage of those conditions to probe distant galaxies and search for answers to mysteries including the creation of the universe.
Shirokoff, who's taught courses on black holes and the Big Bang, will talk about his research and how the unique climate of the South Pole contributes to scientific discovery from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave.
The free event is hosted by the nonprofit organization Forward Chicago, which aims to connect people of all ages to build stronger community.
