Journals 2006/2007

Cyndy Martin
Portland High School, Portland, Maine

"STAR Project NOAA R/V McArthur II" July 28 - August 26, 2006

Journal Index: September 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 August 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9            10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16            17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23            24 - 25 - 26

August 21, 2006
SUN!!

Lat: 14° 23.1' N
Long: 142° 19.2' W
Skies: PC
Wind: 21 kts, 180 deg T
Seas: waves = 2-4', swells = 4-6'
Course: 290 deg T
Speed: 10 kts
Distance in 24 hrs: 217 nm
Sea temp: 27.4 deg C
Distance from land: 893 nm SE of Cape Kumukahi

Well after 10 days of wind and clouds the sun is back. Winds still 15-25, but at least us sun worshippers can get some rays! Highlights of the day: the sky at dusk; cloud bank in the southern sky was unlike anything I've ever seen. Looked like huge snow banks! And the stars!? Resplendent! and something of a treat as we've seen very few. Saw a shooting star, first of the trip. Mammal sightings: 0; birding was OK. Not much in the tows, though we've had some viper fish fries the last 2 nights.

We've had a free-loadin' red-footed boobie with vanity issues keeping us good company for close to 2 days now. He/she perches on the mast directly in front of the flying bridge, constantly preening, with an occasional time out to go snack on some flying fish.

Beat Isabel in game 1 of the finals!

Free-loadin' boobie. View full version pop-up