by 
The day started strong by having breakfast in the galley, although the day truly started before breakfast, a little after midnight, whilst star gazing. The views from the boat are stunning both day and night. When it’s fully dark you can see the big dipper, little dipper, Orion, and his belt. There is nothing like stargazing in the open ocean with your fellow scientist friends. Later that morning for the first time on our cruise there were rain drizzles and clouds, it was a welcome break from the bright sun and salty heat.
Around 11 am on Feb. 5 things started to pick up around the lab, scientists aboard as well as my STEMSEAS cohort were all excited to troll a small net to catch phytoplankton to look at under a microscope. We used data from several sensors compiled into a live graph showing where ocean organisms conjugate at subsequent depths. We used the ship’s onboard machinery consisting of several wenches and an A-frame to deploy devices that take samples and assist in retrieving the CTD (ocean research equipment that measures conductivity, temperature, and depth) which can be extremely heavy when its many canisters fill with ocean water. We then analyze the data captured by sensors that transmit numbers to the computer room where ocean scientists interpret the data and show us projections on the many model graphs. I love watching the giant red A-frame move, it’s astonishing to be so close to extremely large, moving, heavy machinery attached to the stern of our boat. The experience has been surreal, this voyage and all the knowledge I have gained during it, barely encapsulates the profound shift in my future career path. The end of our cruise has come too soon and I’m eagerly awaiting the next time I can go out to sea again.
