What is the Definition of Sunrise?
Dr. Ashjian wrote on the Board of Lies yesterday that there would be no local sunrise. This prompted quite a lunch discussion. Joel found a sunrise and sunset time for our latitude and felt strongly that the sun would “skim” the horizon. Joel said we would in fact, be able to see the sun, just not in it's entirety. So, the discussion became...what is the definition of sunrise? Does the WHOLE sun have to come up, or just the “edge” of the sun? Being with scientists, we HAD to seek out the answer! An internet dictionary stated that sunrise is when the leading edge of the sun passes the horizon. Okay, then IF the sun so much as “peeks” over the horizon, it is considered a sunrise. That is different than the geometric rise. The geometric rise is when the center of a celestial body passes the horizon and there is no atmosphere refraction. The Bridge called the Main Lab at a little after 1:00 p.m. to tell us that they were indeed recording a sunrise time! So, yesterday my journal was INCORRECT...the HEALY Web Server was ALSO incorrect!! We did see a sliver of the sun and did witness a stunning “sunrise”!
We DID Have a sunrise yesterday...the HEALY map server was incorrect!!!
Yesterday, I got the opportunity to work on the deck. I helped Dr. Ashjian deploy the VPR. The VPR – or Video Plankton Recorder – takes photographs of plankton in the water column.
Ms. Rose deploying the VPR with Dr. Ashjian.
I also helped pick copepods for the genetics experiments. This time, I didn't have to worry if they were males, females or C5's. I picked all Calanus copepods into a vial of alcohol to be preserved for experiments back at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography.
Vial of Copepods that I picked from the sample - preserved in alcohol for experiments back at University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography.
We finished sampling the Wainwright Line yesterday and Dr. Okkonen prepared some Data charts. The first chart displays Longitude on the X axis (horizontal axis) and Depth in meters on the Y axis (vertical axis). Longitude is the independent variable on this chart and depth is the dependent variable. The depth of the water DEPENDS on Longitude. The chart is color coded to show the temperature at varying depths on this graph. You can look back at yesterday's map to see where the Wainwright line is off the coast of Alaska, but I will give you a hint and tell you land is the right side of this chart where the water gets shallow. Each station is marked by a black square and the lines are connected with a gray line to show a relationship between the stations. You can see that the temperature of the water is warmer where the water is more shallow – that should make sense!
This is the graph of the Wainwright Line - it shows Depth, Longitude and Temperature
In previous journals, I have spotlighted different scientists aboard USCG Healy. Today, I would like to introduce you to Dr. Bob Campbell. Dr. Campbell is a Marine Research Scientist at the University of Rhode Island. That is a soft-money, research position, which means that he has to raise all of his salary from research grants. If he doesn't bring in grants to the University, he doesn't get paid. Dr. Campbell has a BS in Resource Development from the University of Rhode Island and a PhD in Oceanography from the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island.
Dr Campbell waiting to do a net tow.
The most enjoyable part of his job is that he has the freedom to determine his own research path including, the kinds of research he wants to undertake and where he wants to pursue the research (as long as he can get his ideas funded). He also enjoys going to sea and working in exotic locations such as the Arctic.
When asked what advice he would give someone who may be interested in his career field, we recommended that for your undergraduate degree, get a good general education in one of the basic disciplines such as, biology, chemistry, physics, or geology. Don't specialize too soon. Make sure you get strong training in English and writing in addition to math and science. You will need an advanced degree, a MS at least for technical work, and a PhD if you want to pursue your own research path.
Each day, I think I am in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It can't possibly get more stunning...then the next day comes and I am treated to a new, different and incredible view of this icy wonderland! It is truly breathtaking...
Another gorgeous Arctic winter day!
New Vocabulary
independent variable: - a variable whose value determines the value of others, it is manipulated
dependent variable: - the variable that is being measured in an experiment
Question of the Day
For the Following Graph, identify the Independent variable, the dependent variable and briefly summarize the trend in salinity data.
This is the graph of the Wainwright Line - it shows Depth, Longitude and Salinity
Stay tuned as we continue our exciting voyage on the USCG Cutter Healy. Until then...
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever” - Mohandas Gandhi