June 21 is not only Summer Sailstice but also Ocean Sampling Day and an opportunity for any sailors interested in ocean health to contribute their own scientific observations. OSD has developed a new App, available for Apple or Android, which allows you to take ocean measurements and send them in to the international consortium of ocean microbe scientists who have organized ocean sampling day.
This would be ideal for adults, students and junior programs who all want to learn more about what's under your hull and find a way to make a contribution to the global understanding of the oceans. And you can do it all before, during or after your Summer Sailstice sail.
The 4 1/2 tutorial below will teach you all you need to know. Then download the app, take some measurements and upload your data, you've now helped give a clearer understanding of the riddle of the oceans!
What are ocean microbes?
You've probably never seen them but you've sailed through them, swam in them and swallowed them. They're the tiniest living creatures in the ocean they exist in the gadzillions.
Above is a photo of arctic ocean microbes from Marcela Ewert of the University of Washington's School of Oceanography and Astrobiology
This shot from National Geographic. You've probably had this stuff all over the deck of your boat or on your foul weather gear.
You can learn more about OSD here or read the OSD blog. You can get more information by contacting
Time is short so download the App and make it sn-App-y! Android or Apple
Before, during or after you're testing enjoy some sailing.
For more information on this project please email: Julia Schnetzer
