A Kiwi pop star, a Nasa astronaut and the granddaughter-in-law of famed adventurer Jacques Cousteau have joined a colourful line-up of speakers set to take part in an Antarctic TedX talk at Scott Base next year.
The event, being staged at the Kiwi outpost in January and to be broadcast worldwide, will highlight climate change, celebrate science and help mark the 60th anniversary of New Zealand's official presence on the frozen continent.
The 10 TedXScottBase speakers - revealed at the event's official launch at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch this evening - include award-winning Kiwi musician Gin Wigmore, US astronaut Dr Dan Barry, who has logged more than 734 hours in space, and Ashlan Cousteau, a veteran US journalist, environmental advocate and granddaughter-in-law of French documentary maker Jacques Cousteau.
Also featuring is Anthony Powell, the multi-award winning filmmaker behind the documentary Antarctica: A Year on Ice, who has spent a total 114 months on the ice, including 10 winters; renowned portrait photographer Jane Ussher; prominent business leaders Jeremy Moon and Claudia Batten; and scientists and Antarctic veterans Professor Gary Wilson, Professor Craig Cary and Dr Christina Hulbe.