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The Evolution of Open 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. Eric Lindstrom talks about the connection between ocean-going vessels and ocean-observing satellites and how both are vital in learning more about how ocean circulation works and affects our planet. This clip highlights the technological evolution of oceanography from the first at-sea Challenger expedition to the International Space Station and, more recently, the Aquarius/SAC-D satellite, launched to measure worldwide ocean salinity from space.

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

Click here for a transcript of this clip (PDF, 35.6 KB).

Resources
Applicable Science Standards
  • 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.
  • Analyzing and Interpreting Data Analyzing and Interpreting Data. Scientific investigations produce data that must be analyzed in order to derive meaning. Because data patterns and trends are not always obvious, scientists use a range of tools - including tabulation, graphical interpretation, visualization, and statistical analysis - to identify the significant features and patterns in the data. Scientists identify sources of error in the investigations and calculate the degree of certainty in the results. Modern technology makes the collection of large data sets much easier, providing secondary sources for analysis.
  • Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information. Scientists and engineers must be able to communicate clearly and persuasively the ideas and methods they generate. Critiquing and communicating ideas individually and in groups is a critical professional activity.