NASA's MODIS - Behind the Scenes

Images credit - NASA.

MODIS...you've probably never heard of these instruments before.  Yet, they are two of NASA's workhorse satellite sensors.  They ride aboard NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites.  You may be wondering, "How do these instruments affect oceanography? (This is pretty much the same post I made for the earth science blog too.)  Well, these instruments are responsible for accumulating lots of data about the world ocean's state as well.

By the way...who says NASA is dead? NASA is alive and well.

Accuweather.com has an excellent description of their capabilities here:Accuweather - MODIS Article

Here's the link to NASA's homepage for it: NASA - MODIS Homepage  Great stuff here.

The Orca - 'Wolf of the Sea'

Orca skeleton.  Image credit: Wikipedia.

Recent research suggests that even the killer whale, the 'wolf of the sea,' may have seen population crashes during the most recent ice age.  Productivity (photosynthetic) is critical to the survival of the smallest animals in the world ocean through the largest.

Read on for more info from Science Daily: Article - Orca Populations

Here's another link to BBC Nature Video Collection - Killer Whales

Let the Carnage (and the stupidity) Begin (Unfortunately)

The shark cull in Australia has begun.  What a shame.

Here's an update from Scientific American:
Shark Cull Begins - Scientific American

Palau's Reefs

Map showing location of Palau.  Image Credit: Wikipedia

You may be wondering, "Where is Palau?" Have you even heard of Palau? It forms the westernmost portion of the Caroline Islands in the western Pacific Ocean.  Well, this tiny island nation's coral reefs are surprisingly good shape say scientists.  The water in the area is more acidic than they thought.  And the reefs seem well equipped to deal with it.

Read on for more info from WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: WHOI - Palau Corals

Outrageous...

Baby Hammerhead Shark.  Image Credit - National Geographic.

Australia's 'shark cull' plan is just that...outrageous.  So many species of cartilaginous fish are suffering drastic declines.  I feel for any shark attack victim's family, but this cull is not supported by science.  Shark attacks of humans are cases of 'mistaken identity

Perhaps they should talk to Peter Benchley, author of the novel 'Jaws', about his conversion to shark protector after penning the iconic novel.

Read on for more from ENS - Shark Cull Plan

Shrimp and Lobster Anyone?

Here's the link to an interesting piece on the Gulf of Maine shrimp and lobster fisheries.

Scientific American - Shrimp and Lobster

Pristine Reefs, First Divers

Divers recently explorred an area of coral reefs around the island of New Caledonia, near eastern Australia.  It's thought that these divers are probably the first humans to dive at this reef.

Follow the link to National Geographic for more:
New Caledonia Reef