Peter Morse - Computer Visualisation Specialist

Peter is a computer visualisation specialist in e-Research and interactive systems, who has worked on Antarctic heritage visualisation for many years. He has worked at the University of Melbourne and the University of Western Australia as a research academic and lecturer. He is the creator of the stereoscopic video programme "Home of the Blizzard" (in concert with the Mawson Collection, South Australian Museum) - part of the permanent exhibition "Islands to Ice: The Southern Oceans and Antarctica" at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. This digital reconstruction of Frank Hurley's 1911-14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition stereoscopic photographic record will be cross referenced with newly generated material derived from the 2007 Mawson's Huts Foundation expedition. Peter will be shooting stereoscopic (3D) video and digital still imagery, as well as 360º immersive video using a special camera system used for planetarium projection. The capture of this material will enable him to construct a 3D virtual environment, accurately recording details of the Cape Denison site, its current state and its archaeological/heritage features. This will have multiple outcomes - from use as an "edutainment" resource suitable for museum display, to scientific heritage applications, enabling a synthesis of a wide variety of data sets, enabling researchers and conservators to visualise the site in insightful new ways and assisting in conservation management and planning. He will also be helping to construct the new hut, shoot a cooking documentary entitled "Freezing the Menu" - inspired by his colleagues attempts at remote area gourmandising, and generally pitch in around the place. He is thrilled to be part of this adventure. Peter's own antarctica website is at http://www.antarcticavirtua.net/