Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006

R/V MIRAI

"calm sea again"

Fine
Westerly (1-2 m/sec), Wave height (1.2-1.4m)

Observations:

All measurement systems are fully operated.
Snow White sonde was launched at 1400 LST.
We had again calm sea condition with shallow convections (photo-1). Intake SST showed 30 degC at highest, while skin SST reached 31 degC. According to the satellite data and global objective analysis data, south-easterly area shifted southward a little bit, and we have slightly weak westerly mode over the MIRAI.

Remarks:

Photos 2-3 show the CTD observation. At present, we have been conducting CTD observation every 3 hours. From the day after the tomorrow, however, we will shift to the second stage and have 6-hourly CTD casting as we will conduct another observation.
Photos 4-5 show that researchers take off their own compact CTD system with fluorometer and transfer the data into the PC. They analyze the fluorescence, light intensity, and turbidity as well as standard CTD paramters. Today, it was their small anniversary because it reached 100 times!