this post was submitted on 06 Jan 2026
62 points (93.1% liked)

science

23466 readers
371 users here now

A community to post scientific articles, news, and civil discussion.

rule #1: be kind

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
top 5 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] frongt@lemmy.zip 15 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The south pole doesn't move. The ice sheet moves, so every year they move the marker to keep at the actual pole.

[–] Ludicrous0251@piefed.zip 9 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Well that's just a matter of your inertial reference frame.

[–] frongt@lemmy.zip 6 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The pole is defined in reference to the earth, so the frame is fixed. The pole moves in respect to the ice sheet, sure, but that's why they have to move the marker.

[–] Venator@lemmy.nz 1 points 3 days ago

The earths axis of rotation does process over time too which I think might cause a very small portion of the movement too, I'm not 100% sure though 😅

[–] Durandal@lemmy.today 2 points 4 days ago

The put out a new marker with a new style each time afaik. So if you're a member of the 300 club, you can tell which year it was done by the pole marker I suppose. :)