They ride in deep-sea submarines and they pilot underwater robots. For marine scientists exploring the ocean’s surface and braving its depths, life is nothing short of fascinating.
Learn more about the exciting world of marine scientists at a talk titled, “Ships, Submersibles, and Underwater Habitats: Diving into the Adventures of Science at Sea,” given by Nancy Targett, dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Marine and Earth Studies (CMES). The presentation will be the final installment in CMES’ annual summertime Ocean Currents Lecture series.
The free lecture will take place Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, at 7 p.m. in Room 104 of the Cannon Laboratory at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus on Pilottown Road in Lewes.
Targett’s lecture will focus on the multiple research platforms that scientists use to research the world’s waters and the unexpected adventures they sometimes encounter.
“When you’re on a research vessel or at the bottom of the ocean, you never know what can occur — or what you may learn,” Targett said.
Her presentation will include photographs of work being done from the UD research vessel, the R/V Hugh R. Sharp, the most advanced ship in the nation's fleet of research vessels. It also will discuss scientists’ experiences using underwater robots — torpedo-like machines fitted with sensors that collect water quality data; ice augers — which let scientists dig deep into the layers of frozen water in the world’s coldest regions; and underwater habitats — facilities that let researchers live underwater to study the environment there.
“CMES scientists use the world’s most advanced technologies to study our world’s oceans,” Targett said. “I am excited to share our experiences.”
Light refreshments are provided at the event, which is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. For reservations, contact CMES’ Peggy Conlon at peggy@udel.edu or 302-645-4279. You can also visit the CMES web site at www.ocean.udel.edu and click on Workshop, Seminar, Lecture, and Event Schedules.
For more about UD’s College of Marine and Earth Studies, visit www.ocean.udel.edu.