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What Is a Sensor Web and How Has It Changed Ocean Exploration?

Eric Lindstrom
Eric Lindstrom
Program Scientist
NASA Headquarters

Dr. Lindstrom has degrees in Earth and Planetary Sciences and Physical Oceanography from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Washington, respectively. His scientific interests include circulation of the ocean and air-sea exchange processes. Read more about Dr. Lindstrom here.

Webinar Clip
In this clip, Dr. Lindstrom first describes how early ocean explorers discovered major ocean currents and used them to their advantage. He then briefly discusses oceanic gyres and how both Christopher Columbus and modern-day oceanographers have harnessed the power of these gyres and their respective currents to travel and study oceanic processes. Through this, he defines for us what a "sensor web" is and how it is being used to change the way we explore the oceans today.

Full webinar: From Sailing Ships to Satellites: Studying Salinity Through a Sensor Web

Click here for a transcript of this clip (PDF, 39.6 KB).

Resources
Applicable Science Standards
  • Asking Questions and Defining Problems Asking Questions and Defining Problems. A practice of science is to ask and refine questions that lead to descriptions and explanations of how the natural and designed world(s) works and which can be empirically tested.
  • Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Planning and Carrying Out Investigations. Scientists and engineers plan and carry out investigations in the field or laboratory, working collaboratively as well as individually. Their investigations are systematic and require clarifying what counts as data and identifying variables or parameters.