NOAA Ocean Explorer

Well, a few days ago we took a dip into the ocean. It was so much fun, I say we do it again!

Today's FamilyFirst is NOAA's Ocean Explorer. And friends, it is, in a word, dazzling. For instance, you can view a movie of a large deepwater squid captured live on video. Another video shows a huge sixgill shark feeding on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

Also, check out Life on the Edge, a log of ongoing explorations. I was blown away by the photo of the juvenile sailfish, about ten inches long! Miniature versions of the adults, this was amazing stuff!

The Technology section outlines the details of the devices that make deepwater ocean explorations possible. Did you realize that much of our knowledge about oceans comes from recording instruments 22,000 miles away?

History buffs, don't miss the History section. It extends back to 1807, when Thomas Jefferson signed a law authorizing the formation of a Survey of the Coast. This agency, which became known as the United States Coast Survey, was to eventually become the NOAA. I enjoyed reading about the 1867 dredging operation which brought up living organisms from 2400 fathoms. This dispelled the widespread belief that there was no life at the bottom of the ocean.

The Fun section is worth a browse, too. I downloaded a dazzling shot of brittlestars among coral for my new desktop. The Ocean Challenge Puzzle is a hoot, too. Answer an ocean question correctly, reveal a part of the ocean. It's quite the addiction!

The site is intuitive, the photos are breathtaking, the logs make you feel like you are thousands of feet beneath the surface. This is one great site. Savor it.

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