FTV January 28

Before the development of modern technology sailors were forced to use the equipment available to them. This included tools such as the sextant, magnetic compass, and the speed log. Using these tools sailors would accomplish tasks our generation would think impossible. One tool in particular used before the integration of GPS tracking was the sextant, which if used properly, could assist in rending a charted position for a skilled navigator. The sextant will measure the altitude of a given object in space such as the sun, the moon, or stars. Using this altitude the sailor can plot a line of position on which the ship would lay. From this point the sailor would repeat this process two more times and where the three lines intersect is the position of the ship.

Marine Transportation cadets (aka Deckies ) have many more tools on hand to help them navigate their voyage.  On the bridge of the Kennedy the cadets are working hard to use technology to help them guide the ship.

In addition to using common navigation tools, good seaman must use accurate readings about physical factors such as tides, currents, wind, and weather to run a safe voyage. It requires a lot of effort to know what's going on. See how today's technology helps to keep the Kennedy safely on course.

Technology Tuesday:

Predicting Weather with Technology

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses a variety of ways to measure and predict weather. The most basic methods include the following tools:

Buoys are weather stations in the ocean, and can measure wind speed, wind direction, wave height, atmospheric pressure, and air and sea temperatures.

Automated Surface Observing Systems are weather stations on land, which measure and report data, including air temperature and pressure, 12 times an hour to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Radiosondes are instruments on weather balloons, which track their position in relation to temperature, pressure, and relative humidity as they rise in the atmosphere.

Weather Satellites orbit the Earth and take visual and infrared photographs that tell scientists the temperature of the Earth’s surface, type of cloud cover, presence of circulation, and height of moisture in the atmosphere. Satellites let scientists look at a much bigger picture than buoys, automated surface observing systems, and radiosondes.

Radar is an instrument that transmits and receives radio waves, transmitted from stations on land. When the radio wave hits a raindrop, part of the wave bounces back to the station. Scientists measure how long it takes for the wave to bounce off the raindrops and return to the station. The percent of the radar wave that bounces back tells scientists how much rain is falling. Radar also lets scientists look at a much bigger picture than buoys, automated surface observing stations, or radiosondes.


Directions
Use the following Internet links to draw and write a summary about each tool that scientists use to measure and predict weather.

• Buoys
• Weather Satellites
• Automated Surface Observing Centers
• Radiosondes
• Radar

Now try these activities:  
Use the internet to predict the weather
Make a weather station