
Interview Question 4 with Dr. Thomas Rossby
4. How do you use acoustics to study ocean currents?
Question 4 transcript:
"Many ways. We use acoustics, actually in a number of ways. But the principle application clearly has been to use what's called a deep sound channel in the ocean to hear and use acoustic signals over great distances in the ocean. And so the first application of that was the development of what's called the SOFAR float, in the late 1960's, where we use stationary hydrophones to track these drifting sound sources as they wandered over hundreds to thousands of kilometers. And then, in the early 80's, we developed what is called the RAFOS float, and it's the same system except the sound goes in the opposite direction. So, we have moored sound sources providing an acoustic navigation system. Just like in the LORAN-C system, the floats drift around, listening to those signals and can navigate or get their position. It's been a very very powerful, and when all is said and done, a pretty straightforward technique, all though there are lots of details to it."
Interview Questions:
- How did you first become interested in science?
- What is the focus of your research and why did you choose this field of study?
- What have been some recent discoveries in the study of ocean currents?
- How do you use acoustics to study ocean currents?
- What challenges have you faced in studying ocean currents?
- What has most surprised you about studying ocean currents?
- What skills are important in your area of research?
- What are the opportunities in the study of ocean currents? Can people with out PhDs participate in some way in this type of research?
- What is the greatest impact/relevance of your research?
- What continues to inspire you about your work?
- What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interst in pursuing a career in your field?
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