Questions and Answers
Jennifer and Jane had a "Question of the Day" each
day. If you are the first person, class, or school to answer the
question correctly, your answer will be featured on our web site
along with a link to your school's home page. Good Luck! Send
your answers to webmaster@ogp.noaa.gov
Question of the Day
Date
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Question
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Answer
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09-04-01
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1. What does R/V stand for?
2. Who is Ronald H. Brown?
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09-05-01
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One of today's photos shows a "marine
layer" (see photos).
What causes the marine layer to sit over coastal land in
San Diego?
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09-06-01
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The scientists on board are not allowed
to collect and record data until we are out of Mexican waters.
How far off-shore is the boundary between Mexican waters
and International waters?
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09-07-01
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What is the difference between sea wave
height and swell wave height?
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09-08-01
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What causes the green flash that sailors
sometimes see at sunset?
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09-09-01
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When Charles Darwin was asked to join
the HMS Beagle on its voyage to South America, he was in
school at Cambridge studying to enter what profession?
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Charles Darwin was studying to
become a clergyman when he joined the HMS Beagle for his
bit adventure. Answered by by Morgan at Guajome
Park Academy, Vista, California
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09-10-01
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What are the two factors that are used
when classifying a storm as a tropical depression, tropical
storm, or hurricane?
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09-11-01
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Why is cloud cover measured in 8ths (example
1/8, 7/8, etc)?
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09-12-01
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How much money did the U.S. spend last
year on scientific research? What percent of the total budget
does it represent? (Please cite your source when you send
your answer)
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09-13-01
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How many miles per hour are in one knot?
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09-14-01
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There is a special name for people who
cross the equator- what is it?
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09-15-01
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How many statute miles are in one nautical
mile? (a statute mile is a regular road mile)
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09-16-01
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What is the main function of the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO)?
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09-17-01
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How many shark attacks were reported last
year in the world?
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09-18-01
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Why are red lights used in darkrooms and
for night vision? Why not blue, yellow, or some other color?
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09-19-01
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If you wanted to be a Mate on a ship,
what organization would issue you a "Mate's License?"
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09-20-01
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How many documented cases of ocean piracy
were reported last year?
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09-21-01
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What is the Intertropical Convergence
Zone (ITCZ)?
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09-22-01
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How many statute miles is it from Quito,
Ecuador (where most of us will be flying through to get
home) to Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands
(where the ship will be docked)?
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09-23-01
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What is graupel?
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09-24-01
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Professional mariners in the private sector
are employed through the Merchant Marines. The Merchant
Marine Academy trains people to become professional mariners.
What are their admission requirements?
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09-25-01
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What is the process for becoming a NOAA
officer? What are the prerequisites?
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09-26-01
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NOAA is one of the 7 uniformed services
in the U.S. government. Can you name the other 6?
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09-27-01
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If you wanted to pursue a career as a
NOAA officer, what would NOAA train you to do?
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09-28-01
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Twenty-nine years ago I was born near
Oxon Hill, Maryland. How many miles am I from my birthplace?
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09-29-01
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Some of my students are interested in
science, but are not sure which area of science they would
like to pursue in college. List as many different scientific
disciplines as you can (ex. meteorology, oceanography, etc.).
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09-30-01
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Quito is the capital of Ecuador. Name
3 U.S. cities that are located on the same line of longitude
as Quito.
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10-01-01
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The water temperature at 10N, 95W is approximately
29 degrees Celsius. Is the water temperature in the Galapagos
Islands warmer or cooler? Why?
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10-02-01
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What is the call sign of the NOAA ship
Ronald H. Brown?
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10-03-01
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When I return home to California I will
be flying from Quito, Ecuador to Miami, Florida to Los Angeles,
California, and finally to San Diego, California. Approximately
how many frequent flyer miles will I rack up?
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10-04-01
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What is a "pollywog"? You may
have to search a little, but give me the definition that
relates to the ocean.
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10-05-01
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How many people live in the Galapagos
Islands?
In an unprecedented move, I am going to give you an answer
to yesterday's question of the day. A pollywog, according
to the Captain and seafaring tradition, is "an unworthy,
slimy intruder to the realm of King Neptune," or someone
who has never crossed the equator via ship. By the way,
a "shellback" is the term for someone who has
crossed the equator via ship- that's me!
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10-06-01
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What is the elevation of Quito, Ecuador?
What is the elevation of the highest city in the United
States?
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10-10-01
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How does the ship get fresh water for
its passengers?
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10-11-01
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What is the fastest creature living in
the sea?
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10-12-01
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What would happen to an ordinary styrofoam
cup at at depth of 900 m.?
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10-13-01
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What is an updraft and what causes it?
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10-14-01
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How do updrafts affect the size of a raindrop?
Do you think the size changes? If so, which way?
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10-15-01
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Sea life (mussels, barnacles, little fish)
can be a problem for the scientists. They often attach themselves
to the ropes and instruments and can interfere with the
data being collected. Sharks may even bite into the cables
and poke holes in them. Scientists are looking for ways
to prevent this. Can you think of ways that might help?
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10-16-01
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Why is it important for all the "portholes"
(windows) on the ship to be covered during the night?
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10-18-01
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Is it necessary to paint all the instruments
that will hang along the rope with anti-foul. Should the
ones hanging at 50 meters get the same amount as those that
hang at 500 meters or 1500 meters? Why or why not?
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10-19-01
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What does a petral (type of sea bird)
eat?
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10-20-01
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How long will it take the Ron Brown to
travel from here to Arica (800 miles) averaging 13 knots/hour?
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10-23-01
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How large do leatherback turtles get,
and what do they eat?
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Questions for Jennifer
Date
|
Question
|
Jennifer's Answer
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09-19-01 |
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Some people are fishing, and when they
catch stuff the cook serves it for dinner. But if we don't
catch anything, we still get to eat other stuff, so we won't
starve!!! We've been catching a lot of squid, which we use
for bait. I hope this answers your questions.
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09-19-02 |
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I have been a little homesick, and I will
be happy when I get home, but I am learning so much and
doing so many things that most people never get to do. I
am trying to enjoy being here, and not worry too much about
my family. My husband writes e-mail to me every day, and
sometimes even includes little jokes, so that makes me happy.
And I know that I will never have a chance like this again,
so I am trying not to get homesick.
|
09-12-01 |
We are wondering about the kinds of food
that are served on board. Is there a chef or do you cook
it yourself? from Ms. Lipkowitz's 5th grade class, Lyles-Crouch
Traditional Academy
|
Here's the deal- there is a chef on the ship
named Richard. He cooks hot
meals for us 3 times a day. If you miss a meal, or you need
a snack, there is always cold cereal and sandwich materials
that we can fix ourselves. The meals are served on a buffet
line, so you can pick what you want. The choices change every
day, but there's always vegetables, rice, meat, and usually
some seafood. I think Richard has a certain number of ingredients,
and he puts them in different combinations each
day. For example, today we had cooked corn. Tomorrow the soup
might have corn in it. The next day the rice might be mixed
with corn. The food isn't bad, but I'm looking forward to
a dining out when I get home with my husband- something with
waiters, tablecloths, and a Diet Coke (the only thing to drink
in the mess is fruit punch or water). |
09-11-01
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On the ship? No, no pool.
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09-11-01
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I've always loved orcas (killer whales).
I really want to see the marine iguanas in the Galapagos
Islands.
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09-11-01
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You mean my teaching job, or being Teacher
at Sea? I love teaching because teenagers are a lot more
interesting than adults. I like a lot of music, but my favorite
groups include Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Alanis
Morrisette, and tons more. My favorite color? Well, my house
is completely light yellow, and my classroom is mostly purple.
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09-11-01
|
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Favorite food has to be french fries-
it's the one thing that I just can't pass up. The voyage
is 32 days. I felt yucky a couple days, but I
never actually got sick. I live near San Diego, CA.
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09-11-01
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Unfortunately, no. I miss my dog and cat
at home.
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09-11-01
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Do you have a husband? What is your favorite
team? Have you been
around the world? Have you been to Hawaii? from Mr. Stern's
class at Westhoff
Indepent School District
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I do have a husband- a super fantastic
guy named Rob. I guess since I
live in San Diego my favorite teams are the Padres and the
Chargers. I have not been around the world- I've been
as far west as Japan, as far south as New Zealand, as far
east as Switzerland, and as far north as Alaska. I have
been to Hawaii once- I
went by myself and stayed in the youth hostels.
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09-11-01
|
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My favorite sport to watch is ice hockey
(once, I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out). My
favorite sport to play is probably soccer, although I haven't
played since high school.
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09-11-01
|
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I don't know that I'd call
it necessarily "fun" out here, but it is definately
a wonderful experience. It can get a little boring, since
you're stuck on a boat the
whole time. The most fun part is watching movies in the
evening and socializing with the other people. I teach 9th
and 10th grades- Earth Science and Math.
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09-11-01
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How hot or cold is it? When is the Brown
coming back? How many MMP's do you have on board? Are you
close to Chile? from Mr. Stern's class at Westhoff
Indepent School District
|
It is pretty warm outside- in the 80s
and 90s, but pretty cool inside since it's air conditioned.
The Brown goes to Galapagos, then Chile, then Charleston,
NC for a few months. There are 3 MMPs on board. We are
not currently close to Chile- look up 10N, 95 W on the map-
you'll see we are closest to central america- El Salvador
maybe?
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09-11-01
|
What is it like on the Brown? Do you like
traveling? What is your favorite contintent?
Hmm, what is it like on the ship? from Mr. Stern's class
at Westhoff
Indepent School District
|
That's a big question. It's like
living in a college dorm, working in a laboratory, and always
thinking about science. And of course, the ground is ALWAYS
moving back and forth and up and down. I have only been
to the continents of North America, Europe and Asia, but
I definately like N. America the best. I love
travelling and seeing new places, but there's no place like
home.
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09-11-01
|
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I am 28. I will celebrate my first annual
29th birthday on the ship on Sept 28.
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09-11-01
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I think there are about 55 people- about
25 scientists, 5 officers, and 25 crew members.
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09-11-01
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No, no children.
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09-10-01
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No one overboard. Everyone working near
the edge has to wear a harness in case they fall.
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09-10-01
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I haven't puked yet (woo hoo :-)
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09-10-01
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There are no "janitors" on the
boat, but there is a crew that does engine maintenance,
cooking, etc. We have to clean our own areas by ourselves
(this isn't a hotel).
|
09-07-01 |
"What was your REAL reason for doing this
trip? Did
you want to just learn more? Did you want to see the Galapagos
Islands?"
from Geno Alferos Guajome
Park Academy, Vista, California |
What was the real reason I wanted to do this
trip? I think it's important to always be learning and experiencing
new things in life. Once you finish high school and college
some people let their brain
cells shrivel up. I want to make sure that I am always doing
things to make myself better. Does that make sense? This trip
makes me smarter because I am learning so much about oceanographic
and meteorological research. And it makes me a better science
teacher because I am learning stuff that I can share with
you all, and hopefully get you guys excited about science.
And it makes me a happy person because I love adventure
and new things. |
09-07-01 |
"How do you feel way from home?" from
Melissa Gonzalez Guajome
Park Academy, Vista, California |
To be honest, I try not to think about it too
much because then I would get homesick. I try to focus on
being here on the ship, since I'm stuck here for a month and
can't do anything about it. But I miss my husband, all of
my students, and being
on solid ground. |
09-07-01 |
"Have you seen any wildlife so far?"
from Kalen Jack Guajome
Park Academy, Vista, California |
Excellent question. I forgot to mention in my
log that I saw a bunch of flying fish! (Sorry, Geno, I didn't
get
a picture) They were really cool- almost looked like birds
jumping out of the ocean, flying 10 or 20 feet, then diving
back in. We also passed a huge school of at least a hundred
porpoises, about a mile away. I'm hoping we'll see some more
closer so I can get some pictures for you. |
Note for educators: Although Jennifer and Jane's reseearch cruise ended, the EPIC research continues. Please use this web site, Jennifer and Jane's lesson plans, daily logs, the videos, and the photos to educate your students about climate, El Niño, and scientific research in general. Consider this web site, as well as the TAO web site, a resource for teaching your students. Many organizations and countries are involved in funding the EPIC Experiment. Primary U. S. funding is provided by The National Science Foundation and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This website is maintained and frequently updated by
NOAA's Office of Global Programs
ogpwebmaster@noaa.gov.
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