South Pole Expedition 2010

Exciting News!

The Polar Project of a Lifetime

Departing under a National Science Foundation Artists & Writers Grant for the South Polar Plateau, October 2010, Antarctica.

Having submitted an application to the National Science Foundation in 2008 for an Artist and Writers Grant to return to the South Polar Plateau my dream self-assignment has come through:

Research Objectives

Fifty years after their first trip to Antarctica, American photographer Morton Beebe (PIO Operation Deep Freeze 1957-58) and New Zealand author and journalist Geoffrey Lee Martin (1957 Member of Sir Edmund Hillary's Team and author of Hellbent for the Pole) return to the continent on a visit to the new Amundsen-Scott South Pole Base. Their visit comes at the end of the International Polar Year during which significant science is being conducted in Antarctica. The two meet with key researchers and scientists, reflect on their own early adventures on the continent, and offer insights into the critical role that Antarctic exploration and scientific research continues to play in human efforts to understand and cope with climate change on Earth.

The intellectual merit is expressed by the perspective of two men who were involved in Antarctic exploration during its infancy and being able to relate the changes of human inhabitance over time to a new generation. The purpose of this film is educational. It will reach an audience that is largely made up of younger generations who increasingly get their information from the web and from television specials aimed at delivering a large amount of information in a relatively short period of time. The prospect of relating the technological and scientific advances made in Antarctic exploration and experimentation has been the primary inspiration for this project. The significance of current projects in the region will be greatly magnified by the contrast with the humble beginnings of Antarctic operations in 1957-58.

Field-Season Overview

The ASMP member production team will be comprised of Producer/Director Richard Neill of Adventure Pictures and Associate Producer/Technician Jeff Pflueger of Jeff Pflueger Photo Media, NSF request for support of this project is limited to the final stage of filming in which Morton Beebe and Geoffrey Lee Martin return to Antarctica for 6 weeks during the 2010-2011 summer.

Here is more information from NSF:
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/livingsouthpole/index.jsp

You can follow the latest information
on the blog:
http://www.jerney.org/antarctica/

Antarctica Then and Now

Antarctica Then and Now

Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to Noon

Fifty years ago, a young Ensign Beebe got an unexpected assignment to Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze when the Navy had just begun to explore the continent. Today, the National Science Foundation Polar Programs managed by Raytheon run the largest research project on Ice. Morton is planning a return trip to produce a historical documentary. Morton will recount for us his experiences and show his breathtaking, historical photos of Antarctica 1957-58, contrasting them with the Antarctica of today.

Photographer Beebe:
That unexpected trip to Antarctica set Morton on his path to becoming an internationally acclaimed photographer. His travels over the continent produced several photo essays that were published inNational Geographic, Life, Paris Match and Stern. After Antarctica, Morton joined Magnum and started traveling and photographing stories full-time. Morton has covered the world, combining advertising assignments for his corporate clients-including Minolta, Nikon, Bank of America, Chevron, and American Airlines-with editorial assignments for Travel & Leisure, Geo, Ski and National Geographic, among others. He's worked as a photographer and film producer, working on such films as The Graduate and Petulia. He was also a pioneer in the stock photography business, helping to establish and successfully grow The Image Bank, the first modern stock agency.

Morton has published several successful books, including Operation Deep Freeze, Antarctica in 1958 and San Francisco: City by the Bay, which was first published in 1985, and has sold out five printings and is now in a third edition.

Exploratorium Interview

FYI-
The Interview that was taped at the Exploratorium several months ago with Geoffrey Lee Martin and myself has been edited and posted on my Antarctica page.

An Interesting Article from NSF

I found this article from the National Science Foundation to be particularly interesting and wanted to share it with all of you.

Antarctic Earthquakes

Planning is going well for my return to the Pole. I will keep everyone updated as to my progress as soon as I know something.

The Secret Land

I came across this film today. It was made in 1948 and features Admiral Byrd, Admiral Cruzen and Captain Dufek.

The Secret Land

It is a very interesting film.

Antarctica Book

For those of you who are as interested in Antarctica as I am, my friends Pat and Leslie Keough have produced a beautiful book of photography on the continent.

For more information on the book you can go to: www.keough-art.com

Fun Fact of the Day

Did you know?...

Antarctica's largest land animal is a wingless midge, an insect that grows to half an inch (1.3 cm) long.

Check out ICE STORIES for more great info on Antarctica.

Antarctica Articles

I came across two very interesting articles about Polar Exploration I would like to share with you.
The first is about the Plato Observatory and the Chinese Antarctic Astronomy Program. This article found in the NY Times, Tuesday, February 19th, is full of fascinating information about the region and the history of the Chinese presence on the ice. It covers plans by the Chinese to establish a permanent observatory on Dome Argus on the Antarctic Plateau.
The second article features a story at the opposite pole. Russia's Claim Under Polar Ice Irks American is about an old colleague of mine from the Explorer's Club, Alfred S. McLauren, and his conflict with the Russian led expedition to the bottom of the ocean at the North Pole. I encourage you to read this very interesting front page story, also found in the February 19th NY Times.

updating...

I just wanted to post a little something this week so I don't go too long without a post. I have been a bit under the weather, like everyone else in San Francisco it seems.
Upcoming posts will touch on the popularity of Antarctica in the world today. It seems that everywhere I look there is something about Antarctica. This is exciting, as increased interest in the continent means I have a better chance of going back. I have a few things in the works and will keep you posted.
I also plan on updating my website (mortonbeebe.com) in the coming weeks. Again I will keep you posted on any new happenings.
Hope this finds everyone well and I'll check in again next week.

New Year, New Projects, New Events

I would like to welcome everyone into the New Year by wishing you all much success and prosperity. I hope that the holiday season treated you all well. I, myself, had a wonderful time with family and friends and now that the New Year is upon us, I am left with tremendous resolve to make this year the best one yet.
There are many exciting projects and events on the horizon and I will update you as they come along.
One of the first events that I am very excited about is Macworld 2008 in San Francisco. It is during the week of January 14th through the 18th. ASMP will be manning the digital experience booth throughout the week and we are all excited to have such involvement and enthusiasm from our members. I am particularly excited about the special event that ASMP has arranged during the week of Macworld. New York Times columnist, David Pogue, will be giving a special presentation at Blue Sky Studios between 6:30 and 8 PM on Wednesday the 16th. His presentation is entitled "The Megapixel Myth". For more information on the event you can visit the ASMP Norcal website.
There many more exciting things to come so please keep checking in for new updates, including a possible expedition to Antarctica.

New Links

I wanted to let everyone know about two of my new favorite links.
The first is the U.S. South Pole website. It has lots of very interesting information about the history of U.S. involvement in the South Pole. I myself have been involved since the 1957 when I was a PIO for Operation "Deep Freeze".
The other link is the Antarctica blog that I am also a contributer to. Here you will find postings by other Antarctica enthusiasts, including photography collections and interesting links.

Enjoy...

U.S. South Pole

Antarctica: Information About the Coolest Place On Earth