SOCCOM: Robot Floats in the Southern Ocean
SOCCOM is a multi-institutional program focused on the Southern Ocean and its influence on climate, using floats and models (SOCCOM).
Image: NASA OceanColor/Suomi NPP/VIIRS (GSFC_20171208_Archive_e000750, Jan. 1, 2015, public domain).
Last reviewed: 3 sources cited
Robot floats measure how the Southern Ocean shapes our climate, and schools can name them.
The Adopt-A-Float program grew from one classroom in 2015 to more than 50 schools, and adopting a float is free (GO-BGC).
Source: GO-BGC, Adopt-A-Float
Explain Like I'm 10
- The Southern Ocean around Antarctica soaks up heat and carbon.
- Robot floats dive up and down measuring the water.
- Classes can adopt a float, name it and follow it.
The Five W's of SOCCOM
Who
A multi-institutional team led by Professor Lynne Talley at UCSD/Scripps; founded at Princeton.
Source: SOCCOM, home page
When
Princeton ran it for its first 10 years; it continues, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Source: SOCCOM, home page
How You Can Help
- Adopt a float with your class: free; name it and track it
- Explore the interactive float map: follow real floats
No Donate button here: SOCCOM is a government-funded research program and does not take donations. The ways to take part above are real options listed on the organization's own site.
Saving Planets features SOCCOM because its work helps the planet. This is a showcase, not a partnership: we are not partners with SOCCOM and receive nothing from it.
Connected Solutions
- SOOS Coordinating Southern Ocean observations.
Impact Statement
Research solution · NSF-funded
Its biogeochemical float data are open to access (SOCCOM).
Source: SOCCOM, home page
For Further Information: SOCCOM, home page
Adopted floats have been named after explorers, scientists and school mascots (GO-BGC).
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
Students connect directly with the scientists who deploy the floats (GO-BGC).
Source: GO-BGC, Adopt-A-Float
For Nature
Knowing the Southern Ocean's role helps improve climate models (GO-BGC).
Source: GO-BGC, Adopt-A-Float
Learn More About SOCCOM
Want to go deeper? Explore the float map and data.
For Further InformationRelated Solutions
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Help This Work
Links go straight to the organization. Saving Planets doesn't receive any of the money.