The air is so dry here at McMurdo that anything that gets charged, stays charged. Moist air quickly discharges objects because the water in the air picks up charge from an object and quickly flies away, taking charges with it. This does not happen here. We are constantly getting shocks from our clothing, our bedding and when we exit vehicles.

Mary’s scarf, which is made of silk, became charged as she rubbed it while putting it on. The fringed ends, all charged the same, repelled each other. An entertaining effect!