Friday, March 1, 2013

NASA's mini-submarine can dive into the lakes below Antarctica's glaciers

subglacial lake

A miniature submarine deployed by NASA researchers has made first contact with the lakes hidden beneath Antarctica's glaciers. The submarine, which is about the size of a baseball bat and can travel as deep as three-quarters of a mile, was developed by University of Arizona students and can report real-time data through a fiber-optic cable, including high definition video and measurements of salinity, depth, and temperature. Researchers deployed the submarine into Lake Whillans, which sits 2,000 feet below sea level and was accessed by drilling through 800 meters of ice.


The device was part of the research team's efforts that led to the discovery of the first signs of life beneath Antarctica's surface. "It's able to take us places that...


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via The Verge - All Posts http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/1/4045602/nasa-mini-submarine-reaches-lake-below-antarctica

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