Expendable bathythermographs (XBTs) are small torpedo-shaped probes used to collect ocean temperature data. Once deployed, the probes measure the ocean's temperature as they fall through the water column and transmit the data back to the scientists on the ship. These data play an important role in mapping operations and monitoring global ocean temperatures. Here, an explorer-in-training prepares the XBT's autolauncher for deployment during the 2022 Puerto Rico Mapping and Deep-sea Camera Demonstration.
XBT Deployment
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2022 Puerto Rico Mapping and Deep-Sea Camera Demonstration.
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Expendable bathythermographs (XBTs) are small torpedo-shaped probes used to collect ocean temperature data. Once deployed, the probes measure the ocean's temperature as they fall through the water column and transmit the data back to the scientists on the ship. These data play an important role in mapping operations and monitoring global ocean temperatures. Here, an explorer-in-training prepares the XBT's autolauncher for deployment during the 2022 Puerto Rico Mapping and Deep-sea Camera Demonstration.