Subject: SeaBits, NEAq
mike williamson (williams@www1.wheelock.edu)
Sun, 3 Jan 1999 12:01:12 -0500 (EST)
S E A B I T S
New England Aquarium Monthly e-mail Newsletter
<http://www.neaq.org/>
Volume 3, Issue 1, January 1999
Copyright, New England Aquarium, 1999.
==========================================================================
Happy 1999 everyone. On June 20th, we will celebrate the New England
Aquarium's 30th birthday. This year should be an interesting year for
us, as we continue to grow physically and programmatically, adding
new exhibits, activities, and a boat for summer whale watches. In
this issue, we bring you news of two exhibits, one new and one being
renovated, and a new perspective on Free Willy.
In this issue:
Watery Words
Stories
- Twinkle, Twinkle
- Penguins Fly Coop
- Killer Instinct
Out On The Net
Antarctic Oasis: Under The Spell Of South Georgia
Aquarium Library
Admission Price Change
January/February Calendar
Subscribe/Unsubscribe
Contact Us
=-=-= WATERY WORDS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Easy Recipe for Sand
Take a huge boulder and place it in the way of waves.
Check back every few million years. When your boulder
fits into a teaspoon, it's done."
-- From "Disaster Science" by the editors of Klutz.
=-=-= STORIES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This month's stories
1) Twinkle, Twinkle
2) Penguins Fly Coop
3) Killer Instinct
----- TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE SATELLITE -----------------------------------
If you have ever gazed up at the night sky to wish on a twinkling
star, and then realized that your "star" was moving a little too fast
for something that is supposed to be a zillion light years away but
not quite fast enough to be an airplane, you may have wondered
exactly what you were wishing on. It may have been one of the
approximately 2,652 live satellites currently orbiting the earth, and
could have even been a satellite called TOPEX/Poseidon.
TOPEX/Poseidon is a joint project of the United States and France,
and is monitoring global ocean circulation from approximately 830
miles above the earth. The satellite orbits the earth 4,700 times per
year, approximately 12.88 times per day or once every 112 minutes.
Every 10 days, the satellite's measurements cover 95% of the earth's
ice-free regions, gathering information on wave height, wind speed
and surface height.
Beginning Saturday, January 23, a TOPEX/Poseidon display will open in
the New England Aquarium's lobby. This free exhibit, funded by a
grant from Jet Propulsion Lab/NASA, was created in collaboration with
the Gulf of Maine Aquarium and MIT. The exhibit consists of five
display panels with interactive elements that explain how this
satellite helps scientists understand the links between ocean
circulation and weather patterns. By understanding heat storage in
the oceans, researchers are beginning to understand how currents move
energy around the globe on what they call a "global conveyer belt," a
circuit that takes about a thousand years to complete. A second
identical exhibit will be opening at the end of January in the Maine
Mall in Southport, Maine and will be traveling to malls throughout
New England.
One interesting tidbit revealed by the satellite is that sea level,
well, isn't. Data gathered by the satellite tells us that highest
elevation is in the western Pacific ocean, and the lowest elevation
is around Antarctica. The variations are generally measured in
centimeters, but can be up to a few meters. These changes might seem
insignificant, until you think about the fact that when the sea level
changes by a few centimeters, the tilt of the surface can result in
an ocean current carrying several millions of cubic meters of water
per second.
By itself, difference in ocean height might not seem particularly
enlightening, but oceans play a dominating role in year-to-year
variability that strongly influences the atmosphere and dramatically
impacts the weather. From data about sea surface height, scientists
are learning about ocean currents, climate, seasonal changes, winds,
waves and weather, global sea level change, eddy detection and El
Niqo events. This information has also turned out to be unexpectedly
useful for marine mammal surveys and shipping operations.
Of particular interest are eddies, swirls of water currents that spin
off from a large current or are forced by wind, that are comparable
to atmospheric storms. Eddies play an important role in transporting
heat, salt and nutrients around the globe. Ocean eddies can last for
weeks or months, can have diameters of tens to hundreds of
kilometers, and can extend deep into the sea. Rapidly swirling eddies
cause the greatest changes in sea height.
Satellite tracking of eddies has proven useful in studies of the
distribution and abundance of whales. Correlations between eddy
locations and the migration routes of sperm whales have been found.
Whale pods are often found near areas of low sea-surface height,
which are associated with upwellings of nutrient-rich deep waters.
Information from the satellite is used to generate near real-time
maps, which can direct marine biologists to areas where whales are
likely to be found. New England Aquarium right whale researchers have
also used information from this satellite to help them find right
whales.
How does the satellite work? The TOPEX/Poseidon satellite uses two
kinds of instruments, an altimeter and a radiometer. To measure sea
surface height, the altimeter sends off a sharp pulse which bounces
off the sea's surface. The pulse travels at the speed of 187,000
miles per second. Thus, by measuring the amount of time it takes for
the pulse to travel to the sea surface and back, we can determine the
height of the sea. The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
(AVHRR - I didn't make this up, I swear) measures the sea surface
temperature by measuring the visible and infrared light reflected
into space. (It's more complicated than that, so if you are
interested visit <http://topex-www.jpl.nasa.gov/discover> ).
When the cold, dreary winter days start getting to you, get out of
the house and come on down to the Aquarium, where you can learn all
about the fascinating world of ocean currents and how they affect
your daily life -- which they really do!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Droplet: The first month of TOPEX/Poseidon's operation, alone,
provided more data about the ocean's surface height and temperature
than had been collected by ships during the previous 100 years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----- PENGUINS FLY COOP --------------------------------------------------
Peter Brady, Rock Designer
Our little hiatus of construction calm will abruptly end on January
4th, when more than a year of behind-the-scenes activity erupts onto
the public scene. The Penguin Exhibit is undergoing a major
renovation, and will be closed until February 12th. Until it reopens,
all 60 penguins will be off exhibit, living in our Animal Care Center
around the back of the building.
If you are not a penguin (and so few Seabits readers are), the
current islands probably look perfectly adequate. The penguins,
however, may be noticing antiquated structural supports, inferior
life support systems, and too few nesting caves. How do we find rocks
with perfect nesting sites, life support and sprinklers? It's not
just a matter of wandering up to Nahant and picking out a few
boulders. We make them. In fact, our team of "rock whisperers," Nat
Hammatt, John Clark and Carolyn Nichols, have been busy assembling
precast fiberglass rock pieces for some time now. Interestingly, the
fiberglass rocks are based on the impressive rock formations at
Nahant.
Opening to the public on February 13th, the new penguin exhibit will
feature four new large islands, improved life support, more than 30
nesting sites, and most importantly, a new island specifically for a
new species of penguin, the little blue penguin from Australia.
Joining the African and rockhopper penguins already on exhibit, the
little blue or "fairy" penguin, as it is sometimes called, is the
smallest of the 17 penguin species, weighing in at only around 2
pounds. A little smaller than a football, these penguins are natives
of Australia and New Zealand. The "blue" comes from the fact the
feathers on their backs sport a bluish-gray to turquoise hue, quite
different from the more familiar black and white formalwear of other
species.
Six little blue penguins have been living behind the scenes at the
New England Aquarium since August 1997. The population of three
males, Martidekker, Gur-roo-mul and Tasmania, and three females,
Tomeranaray, Melbourne and Phillip (named for regions they populate
and for aboriginal tribal names) came to us from the Melbourne Zoo in
Australia. All six were born at the Melbourne Zoo between August 1994
and February 1997, offspring of parents that had been rescued as sick
or injured birds from the wild and were deemed unlikely to survive in
the wild on their own.
Our six have adjusted well to their new home according to aquarist
and penguin caretaker Dyan deNapoli. "At first, they were very quiet.
They hardly made a sound at all," she says. But now, well, you just
have to get Dyan's voicemail and listen to the raucous trills in the
background to know they have found their voices! One of the most
remarkable things about little blues is that such a wide and LOUD
range of vocalizations emanates from such a small bird. Once they
adjust to the new exhibit, you may be surprised at what you will hear!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Droplet: Creatures of routine, the daily "penguin parade" of little
blues has become so popular that people have built viewing stands
along the age-old, flipper-worn pathways to the procession. On
Phillip Island, close to 500,000 tourists a year watch the little
blues as they emerge from the waves at dusk and travel en masse to
the dunes to feed their young and rest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----- KILLER INSTINCT -----------------------------------------------------
Two marine scientists, Robert L. Pitman and Susan J. Chivers, from
the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, California, were
recently witnesses to something humans have rarely seen. After two
weeks of searching for sperm whales to study their diving behavior,
they finally sighted a large group rafting close together at the
surface. What they saw next is not for the faint of heart nor weak of
stomach.
A group of nine sperm whales had gathered forming a "rosette," or a
formation where their heads all point to the center with their bodies
radiating outwards. This is usually a defensive position, the tails
of sperm whales being rather formidable weapons. Suddenly, a group of
three or four adult female killer whales started attacking the sperm
whales. For three hours the killer whales charged the rosette, drew
blood or inflicted injury, then left the scene, returning again
shortly to inflict more damage.
The sperm whales, probably adult females, were much larger (33 feet
compared to 21 feet long) than their aggressors, and much heavier (13
tons compared to four tons), but they did not defend themselves or
try to escape. In fact, they seemed helpless in the face of this
onslaught. Several times, injured sperm whales broke formation, and
were brought back to the rosette by others of their group.
In the end, a bull killer whale came charging in to the fray, grabbed
a dying sperm whale by the tail, delivered the final blows, and took
off with it. The other killer whales followed, and were seen a mile
or so from the kill site probably feeding on the carcass beneath the
surface. The remaining sperm whales were left behind, every one of
them injured and several near death.
The scientists were left with many unanswered questions, among them:
Why didn't the sperm whales fight back? Why did they risk their lives
repeatedly to help others in their group? Why did the killer whales
attack the whole group, rather than singling out an individual, a
typical pack-hunter strategy? Why did the female killer whales do
most of the hunting, with the bull only coming in at the end? And,
how has killer whale predation affected the lives of large whales? Up
until this point, the scientific community generally considered sperm
whales to be immune to killer whale attacks because of their greater
strength and ability to out-dive the killer whales.
Apparently, not all killer whales prey on large whales. Marine
scientists currently divide killer whales into two types: the docile,
coastal animals that prey mainly on fish, and the wilder, open-ocean
animals that prey primarily on marine mammals. Despite the gentle
giant images of "Free Willy" and "Shamu" we see in the media, it
seems that these animals are aptly named.
For pictures and more details on the attack, see the December/January
issue of Natural History magazine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Droplet: In the waters off Antarctica, killer whales often attack
minke whales, eating only their fleshy lips and tongues, and leaving
their victims to die. Yuck.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-= OUT ON THE NET =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
For additional information, you might want to check out the following
websites. Some of these links represent partners in aquatic conservation
and animal husbandry; others are simply resources we think may help you
enrich your perspective on our watery world. By listing these websites, the
New England Aquarium is not automatically endorsing or verifying the
accuracy of their content unless explicitly stated.
TOPEX/Poseidon Satellite
<http://topex-www.jpl.nasa.gov/>
<http://www.csr.utexas.edu/tsgc/topex/kids/>
<http://www-ccar.colorado.edu/research/topex/html/topex.html>
Little Blue Penguins
<http://www.penguin.net.nz/blues.html>
<http://www.tfs.net/personal/clear/penguins/main.html>
<http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Peter_and_barbara_Barham/l_blue.htm>
Killer Whales
<http://orca.citeweb.net/main.htm>
<http://www.seaworld.org/killer_whale/killerwhales.html>
<http://www.slip.net/~oyafuso/orcinusorca/orca.html>
=-=-= ANTARCTIC OASIS: UNDER THE SPELL OF SOUTH GEORGIA =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
On Tuesday, April 13, the USS Constitution Museum and the New England
Aquarium present renowned sailors Pauline and Tim Carr, as they
describe their experiences as the only permanent inhabitants on an
island off the coast of Antarctica. A forgotten remnant of the
far-flung British Empire, South Georgia is a splendid if forbidding
land of towering, glacier-clad mountains with a treacherous,
storm-torn coast indented with sheltered bays. During its polar
summer, the island's verdant shoreline offers Antarctic wildlife a
place to mate and rear their young. The planet's greatest
concentration of seals, penguins, albatrosses and other birds throngs
the shores.
This presentation will take place at the USS Constitution Museum at
the Charlestown Navy Yard. Reception begins at 6 P.M., presentation
begins at 7 P.M. The presentation is free and open to the public, but
seating is limited. For more information or to register, call Ken
Mallory at 617-426-1812 or email <kmallory@neaq.org>.
=-=-= AQUARIUM LIBRARY =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Whether you are doing a project on the Great White Shark, are
searching for an environmentally related job on the West Coast or are
looking for the latest issue of Copea or Science, you can find what
you need at the New England Aquarium Library. Library resources
include 5000 adult books, 500 children's books, more than 100
journals and magazines, more than 600 subject files, a variety of
newsletters and job resources, and internet access.
The library is not a lending library. If you would like to use the
library, please call (617) 973-2537 weekdays between 9 A.M. and 1
P.M. or email dwensink@neaq.org to make an appointment.
If you can't come to the library, you can write us a letter and a
volunteer will respond to your questions. The library answers more
than 900 letters every year.
Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 9 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.
Saturday- Sunday, 10 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Mailing Address:
New England Aquarium Library
Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
=-=-= ADMISSION PRICE CHANGE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
As of January 1, 1999, admission prices at the New England Aquarium
are: General, $12.00 (ages 12-59); Junior (ages 3-11), $6.00; Senior
Citizens, $10.00 (ages 60+). As always, members and children under
the age of 3 are admitted free. This gives me a great opportunity to
make a shameless membership plug: Membership is a better deal than
ever, since membership prices are not increasing in 1999. Find out
how you can become a member by calling (617) 973-6554 or email
<zlum@neaq.org>.
=-=-= JANUARY/FEBRUARY CALENDAR =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Mondays, January 4 to May 24, Sea-niority Free Admission Program, 12
- 4:30 P.M.
Complimentary admission for senior citizens age 60 and older on
Monday afternoons.
Saturday, January 9 and 23, Our Watery World Explorer Class, 9:30
A.M. Explorer classes are designed with the preschooler in mind. Each
program combines a story about the sea and the featured animal with a
take-home art project, a related activity, or a closer look at some
live animals. Each program lasts one hour and fifteen minutes, and
concludes with a visit to see the featured animal. Choose to attend
any one of the programs, or the entire series. Children must be
accompanied by an adult. Fees: $4.00 per child for members and $8.00
per child for non-members. No fee for adult participant. The
non-member fee does not include Aquarium admission. Call (617)
973-5206 to register.
Saturday, January 23, Swim with the Sharks, 11 A.M. to 1 P.M
For two hours, WJMN-FM Jammin 94.5 will be on-site to watch two lucky
WJMN listeners dive in the Giant Ocean Tank with the sharks. During
the two hours that WJMN is here, visitors mentioning the promotion
will receive $2 off an adult admission. During the previous 2-3
weeks, WJMN listeners and patrons at area dives shops can register to
win a chance to "Swim with the Sharks." The actual dives will take
place at 12:30 P.M.
Saturday, January 30, Georges Bank Guided Tour, 9:30 A.M.
Travel through time, to the past when Georges Bank was teeming with
cod, haddock and other marine life. Today, after decades of
overfishing, Georges Bank is in crisis. Here, you will learn more
about the past, present and future of Georges Bank with
issue-oriented exhibits and hands-on interactives. Recommended for
ages 5 and older. Fees: $5.00 per person for members; $10.00 plus
admission for non-members. Tours limited to 12 people. Call (617)
973-5206 to register.
Saturday, February 13, Renovated Penguin Exhibit Opens
Come see the newly renovated penguin exhibit, now inhabited by three
species of penguins: The Africans from South Africa, the rockhoppers
from South America, and the very diminuative little blues from
Australia and New Zealand. The little blues will be enjoying a new
island all of their own, while the Africans and rockhoppers will
share two other newly renovated rocks.
Monday - Friday, February 15-19 Winter Break-Away Camp, 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
This five day program, open to 4th through 7th graders, will allow
students to explore the many ways creatures of the wild have adapted
to survive cold New England winters. Students will search for hidden
life in a frozen pond, test winter-tracking skills and engage in
group activities that highlight animal adaptations in the Blue Hills
Reservation in Milton, MA and at the Plum Island wildlife refuge in
Newburyport, MA. Observe staff veterinarians and biologists treating
animals from the wild that are submitted to the ravages of winter.
Witness exciting adventures and relive heroic rescues at the
Lifesaving Museum in Hull, MA. A visit to the U.S. Coast Guard
Station in Boston will encourage participants to learn more about
ocean safety and thrill them with stories of out to sea rescues. This
program includes time spent in the exhibits and galleries, a sea lion
show, behind the scenes activities, small group projects and an
overnight at the Aquarium's Exploration Center. The Spring Session
will take place April 19 - 23, and will focus on spring cycles. Call
(617) 973-5206 to register or for more information.
- Group Size: 25, Participant to Staff Ratio: 7:1
- Fee: $175 for members, $225 for nonmembers
Saturday, February 20, Ice Fishing Moon Celebration, 11 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Join the Native American tribes of our region at the New England
Aquarium for the free Ice Fishing Moon Celebration. This special day
is dedicated to the role that such winter activities as snowshoeing,
trapping and ice fishing play in the lives of Native Americans in our
region. For thousands of years, Native Americans of our region
depended on marine and coastal resources for survival, and
incorporated aquatic themes in their cultural activities as well.
These traditions still continue today. The Ice Fishing Moon
Celebration will feature interactive programs and educational
exhibits that highlight the role of seasonal activities. The Ice
Fishing Moon Celebration is the third of five free events as part of
the Gifts from the Sacred Waters series. This program does not
include Aquarium admission. Call (617) 973-0295 for more information.
Saturday, February 27, National Ocean Sciences Bowl Regional Competition
This science competition for high school students, known as the Blue
Lobster Bowl, is hosted by the New England Aquarium and Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institute, and tests ocean knowledge in quiz-show
style. This event will be held at the World Trade Center. If you are
interested in volunteering, please contact Elizabeth Coleman at (617)
973-0215 or email <ecoleman@neaq.org> for more information.
=-=-= SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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OR send e-mail to <macjordomo@neaq.org>. In the body of your email message
write "subscribe seabits" (without the quotes).
To unsubscribe to Seabits, send email to <macjordomo@neaq.org>. In the body
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=-=-= CONTACT US =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Content questions and comments? Contact Jennifer Goebel at
<jgoebel@neaq.org>.
Technical questions and comments? Contact Bruce Wyman at <bwyman@neaq.org>.
=-=-= THAT'S ALL FOLKS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
That's it from the World of Water this month. Makes a nice change
from bombs and sex scandals, doesn't it? As always, if you have
comments, suggestions, tidbits, watery words or watery jokes, please
send them on over. -Jen Goebel