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Floating Computers Keep an Eye on the Oceans

Posted by samzenpus on from the somewhere-upon-the-sea dept.

mightysquirrel81 writes "This fascinating picture story shows the tech behind the global Argo progamme set up to monitor the world's oceans. Using 3,000 floating computers and a network of satellites, researchers measure sea temperature and ocean currents to predict climate change."

5 of 86 comments (clear)

  1. Miscalibrated by MightyMait · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Were these the same floats that initially indicated that the oceans were *cooling* and not warming, but which were later recalibrated to report "accurate" temperature data?

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    1. Re:Miscalibrated by letxa2000 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Were these the same floats that initially indicated that the oceans were *cooling* and not warming, but which were later recalibrated to report "accurate" temperature data?

      Hey, as long as keep accepting "heating" readings and keep rejecting or massaging "cooling" readings, we can keep up the global warming scam for at least another 5-10 years!

  2. Do we really need this data? by Thanshin · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Sea temperature can be measures by satellite and, unless you're expecting "The day after tomorrow", thermohaline circulation is quite constant. (And if it changes, it's a bit late to do anything about it).

    So, are they getting from the buoys something more than a known temperature and a constant value?

    It seems similar to putting ground vibration sensors to know if a meteorite hit us.

  3. Re:If they keep drifting around by presarioD · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I wonder if they have a collection or recycling mechanism for the dead/mulfunctioning/washed-up ones, otherwise I can't help point out the irony that in the process of studying the environment (in order to be friendlier to it) you pollute the hell out of it. Are the gadgets biodegradable? Do they self-destruct into harmless, eco-friendly elements with a nice boom? (will make ordinary swimming experience fun beyond imagination...)... 800 Argo floats/year without collecting the old ones is at least irresponsible...

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  4. Re:sensors that are unmaintained by mh1997 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    How do they calibrate and test the accuracy of these sensors?
    Accuracy is not required in global warming studies because global warming has been solved, the new problem is called climate change. I am not sure if sensor accuracy is important in climate change studies.