The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association, Bremerhaven, has launched a new research instrument in the Artic sea. The "seaglider" has been operated for the first time from the German Research Vessel Polarstern. It is an autonomous vehicle which dives down to a depth of 1.000 metres, measuring temperature, salinity, oxygen, opacity of the water and then sending these data via satellite to Bremerhaven. The seaglider will measure until mid September. The measurements of this year's Polarstern expedition are part of continuous studies leading up to predictions and statements about long-term developments of the climate system.

Further Information

The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
http://www.awi.de/