Working in Extreme Conditions: Physicists at the South Pole and Underground

Physicists Sasha Rallen and Dan Baxter discuss their work in extreme environments. Sasha studies the universe from the South Pole, working on telescopes designed to study the cosmic microwave background. She describes the unique conditions at the South Pole, including the dry and stable atmosphere that allows for clearer observations. Dan works deep underground at Snow Lab in Sudbury, Ontario, conducting experiments to search for dark matter. He talks about the challenges of working underground, such as the need to shield detectors from background radiation. Both physicists express their love for working in these extreme locations, highlighting the awe-inspiring aspects of the environment and the collaborative nature of scientific work in remote settings.