Oceanography is the science concerned with the study of oceans and seas. Because of the vastness and great depths of the oceans, there is a great deal to study, and many things are not yet understood. Modern technology has helped oceanographers immensely. Computer analysis of water and sediment samples can give an accurate picture of the content of oceans, and currents can be electronically monitored and predicted. Robotic submersibles and sonar imaging help in the study of the sea floor.
Oceanography is an interdisciplinary science integrating the fields of geology, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering to explore the ocean. Oceanography is a relatively young field of science. The era of formal oceanographic studies began with the H.M.S. Challenger Expedition (1872-1876), the first voyage to comprehensively collect data related to ocean temperatures, chemistry, currents, marine life, and seafloor geology.
Modern oceanography did not begin until World War II, when the U.S. Navy wanted to learn more about the oceans to gain advantages in communicating across the Atlantic and implementing submarine warfare. By the late 1950s and ’60s, underwater vehicles, known as submersibles, revolutionized oceanographic exploration. Today, buoys and water column samplers are used to monitor sea surface conditions and water quality factors, coring devices collect sediment samples, sonar helps create maps of the seafloor, and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) allow us to safely and efficiently explore all parts of the ocean. As ocean exploration increases and technology advances, so does our understanding of the way the ocean functions and supports life on Earth.
Astronomy is an interdisciplinary science as well, but it focuses on the study of space beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The more recent advancements in space exploration have greatly expanded the field of astronomy.
With safety, cost, and efficiency as top priorities, the manner in which ocean and space exploration have progressed continues to evolve. We have seen a technological transition from manned submersibles and spacecraft to satellites, ROVs, and extraterrestrial probes and rovers. Advances in remote sensing, satellite communication, and data collection, including sampling devices and live video feeds, allow experts from across the globe to connect and share information in real time.
Despite all of these technological advances, there is still so much more to learn and explore. It is difficult to predict what space and ocean exploration will look like in the future. An interesting point to contemplate regarding future exploration comes from Dr. Robert Ballard: “The generation of kids in middle schools right now will explore more of Earth than all previous generations combined. Let that sink in. They’re going to explore more of Earth than everyone that’s been on this planet before them. That’s pretty cool.”
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