October – This Autumn, Antarctica is coming to Yorkshire. An immersive virtual reality (VR) experience using cutting-edge digital technologies is set to transform how the British public can discover Antarctica’s extraordinary history of science and exploration.
Following its successful run at the Bradford Science Festival, Immersive Antarctica will arrive in Leeds on the 8th – 9th November as the final stop on its Autumn Tour of Yorkshire.
British expeditions have played a significant role in shaping the course of Antarctic history, from the heroic age of exploration through to the more recent scientific age on the continent. Participants will be able to take a unique step back in time by donning a VR headset and controllers, instantly transporting them to the frozen continent. They’ll be able to step inside an historic hut, brave a fierce Katabatic Storm, experience life as explorers and scientists did and hear an incredible tale of resilience, teamwork and innovation on the ice.
Immersive Antarctica: A Frozen Night
The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust’s (UKAHT) A Frozen Night is a 30-minute-long VR experience which transports participants to a fully immersive reconstruction of a historic scientific base where they will step into the shoes of overwintering Antarctic scientists as they navigate this amazing environment.
The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust is a charity that leads the conservation efforts for legendary explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s shipwreck Endurance and six British heritage sites in Antarctica, which were once home to pioneering scientists and today mark the birth of the scientific age of Antarctica.
Camilla Nichol, CEO of UKAHT, explains those taking part will be among the first to engage with Antarctic heritage sites in this new and unique way:
“A Frozen Night is UKAHT’s first virtual reality experience based on a true story from the archives and narrated by those who lived and worked in our southernmost base, Stonington Island. One of the earliest British sites, established in 1946 and a key dog sledging base, Stonington Island enabled teams to travel far inland into the Antarctic Peninsula. Now, for the first time, A Frozen Night allows people to virtually travel into Stonington’s past to experience the wonders and risks of Antarctic field work.”
Tickets to experience Immersive Antarctica at Leeds City Museum are available now on Eventbrite.
For those unable to attend in person, UKAHT’s VR experience, A Frozen Night, can also be downloaded on the Meta app store, allowing users to explore it from their own headsets at home.
Anyone wishing to help protect and share the wonder of Antarctica and its heritage can support the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust by becoming a member or making a donation at https://www.ukaht.org/
