Life aboard the RV Polarstern, one of the world’s most renowned research vessels, is like nothing else. The smell of the ocean, the hum of the engines, and the endless horizon stretching out in every direction—it’s a thrilling and awe-inspiring experience. But beyond the romance and adventure lies a critical mission: to understand the ocean […]
Svenja burst into the red lounge, where a group of scientists were having a post-prandial chat. The alien announcement was irresistible, and we trooped down to the lab where Svenja’s fresh multinet haul was awaiting earthly attention. Under the microscope we saw live zooplankton hopping, spiralling, leapfrogging and swimming through the sample. Then, carefully teased […]
You dive down to a thousand meters depth and cruise around, letting the currents take you where they want. Every now and then a fish may curiously appear, then swim into the deep blue, leaving you alone in your cold, dark wet world. The only times you see light are when you rise to the […]
On a rolling ship, fighting seasickness, even finding their way around the cavernous Polarstern can seem a challenge. The first two days have been spent learning the rules on board – and here are many of them! “There’s a strict hierarchy on board, with all the crew having their own tasks. There’s even a correct […]
+++english version below+++ Nachdem das erste 2D-Profil nun abgefahren und die Ozeanbodenseismometer (OBS) und Hydrophone (OBH) wieder an Deck eingeholt waren, fuhren wir in das Gebiet für das zweite Experiment. Bei einem Profil werden Geräte in einer geraden Linie auf dem Meeresboden ausgesetzt. Anschließend wird das Profil mit Luftpulsern einmal abgefahren und die Signale werden […]
***German version below*** The network of “Staff for Diversity” met for the first time on Tuesday, 21 March 2023, in a hybrid format. The group consisted of twelve people bringing different outlooks on diversity to the table. “Staff for Diversity” aspires to build on our differences and similarities: every person brings their individual experience, expectations […]
… something special must be happening. And it is – the next “WASCAL Floating University” is about to start. After we had our premiere last year with the research vessel Maria S. Merian (MSM106), we have another premiere this year with the next cohort of students: This year our Floating University will take place on […]
+++ english version below +++ Nun ist es schon über zwei Wochen her, dass wir uns in Kiel auf den Weg zur FS SONNE gemacht haben. Bis auf ein paar Kleinigkeiten, wie ein verspäteter Abflug von Hamburg aus, hat alles sehr gut geklappt und nach 31 Stunden waren wir am Hotel in der Stadt Concepción […]
Who does not know those American graduation hats? They are traditionally worn at the ceremony after successfully completing a degree or doctorate. Black and consisting of a flat, square board of stiff material to which a tassel is attached in the centre, these graduation hats are also known as mortarboards. Worn festively together with a […]
Saturday 4th March 2023 The sixth and final week of research cruise M187. On 27.02 we had our last station at the most western point of our cruise transect (5 °W, 26.7 °S), in the highly oligotrophic waters of the South Atlantic subtropical gyre. These seawaters are strongly depleted in bioavailable nitrogen, which limits phytoplankton […]