oceanlove

While Hurricane Milton is traversing the Gulf of Mexico, our researchers are onboard the @flynoaa P-3 and G-IV to gather important meteorological data. Today’s mission involves flying a rotated figure 4 flight path and deploying dropsondes, AXBTs, wave drifters and a @black_swift_technologies drone. Each of these instruments is uniquely designed to gather a different dataset.  But how do researchers actually collect oceanic and atmospheric observations? Dropsondes are launched from both the P-3 and G-IV aircraft. They slowly fall towards the ocean surface and gather atmospheric data on their descent. This gives researchers a picture of the conditions throughout the atmosphere that contribute to the storm.  The @black_swift_technologies S0 drone is another airborne expendable launched from the P-3. This uncrewed aircraft system flies autonomously, gathering data in the lower levels of the storm where planes cannot safely reach. This is revolutionizing the way scient...