Use of a stand allows Aagaard and Johnson to rotate an acoustic doppler
current profiler (ADCP), which is comprised of a compass, battery and
transducer. This operation was executed in Resolute before the trip
to the Pole.
(Johnson)
|
Aagaard and Johnson calibrate the compass which is used to read current
direction. Compass calibration is needed because of the weak magnetic
field near the North Pole. Without calibration, current direction would
be measured inaccurately.
(Johnson)
|
Stewart joins Aagaard
to continue calibration of the Doppler profiler. The transducer sends
beams that provides the speed of driting sea ice, plus, a 3-dimensional
profile -NSEW plus up and down- of ocean currents.
(Johnson)
|
The anchor for the
mooring, a chain, weighs 1,350 lbs. When deployed it will rest 13,517
feet below the sea level. A series of cables form a line that is attached
to the anchor. On the line are 3,50 pounds of instrument packages. To
keep the 2.5 mile line afloat are a series of four glass floats. In
addition, a large steel float, with a radio beam connected to it, functions
as the top float.
(Aguilar)
|
Johnson attaches
a Seabird temperature/salinity recorder to the mooring line. He and
Ohmart will then lower the recorder and next section of mooring line
into the sea. Hanging from the tripod are some glass floats encased
in protective coverings.
(Aguilar)
|
