Teacher Logbook:
Monday, July 24, 2000

Mary Beth's Observations
Dr. Baker is right. All scientists are now focused on acquiring CTD data to take back to their laboratories for analysis. Each scientist is studying a different aspect of the hydrothermal plumes. They are busy around the clock and try to get sleep while the CTD is in the water. Every time the CTD comes out off the water samples must be taken for analysis. This means the scientists must be out on deck if the CTD comes in at 2:00 in the afternoon or 2:00 in the morning.

The days and nights all begin to run together for both the crew and researchers. It is raining today on the Ronald H. Brown. It is cloudy and overcast with a fine mist coming in off the port side of the ship. I am still waiting to see the stars out at night. With no city lights to interfere, I can only imagine how brilliant the stars must be on a clear, cloudless night. Some say it might even be possible to see the Northern Lights if the weather conditions are right. Maybe after this rain storm blows through, we might get a glimpse of the night sky. Stay tuned for more update tomorrow!

Carol's Observations
I got to help attach the huge bottles, nisken bottles, to the CTD unit. After the CTD was lowered over the side of the ship, I recorded the longitude, latitude, universal time coordinate, depth, length of wire out, and altitude. During short breaks, I entered the information into the computer-spread sheet. When I had time, I plotted the position of the ship on the chart. Doing the science is so different from watching it being done. I could hardly keep up with all of the duties, which was great because the time went by very fast. Everyone on the ship has made me feel very welcome. Last night I went up to the ship's bridge where the control instruments and guidance computers are located. At night the inside lights change from white to red. Red light allows people to retain their night vision. I still had trouble seeing around the bridge. I only recognized people by their voice for the first twenty minutes. I had hoped to see the comet pass by the Big Dipper, but the clouds refused to leave. I finally gave up and today it is raining lightly. It doesn't seem to bother the black-footed albatrosses that continue to follow the ship.

Mary Beth waiting for the clouds to clear.

Carol getting ready to lift one of the Niskin bottles on to the CTD.