Over 100 unique sampling events were logged during the 2016 K-Axis marine voyage from mid-January to late February. The Australian Antarctic Data Centre transcribed the paper logbook from the Aurora Australis and supplemented it with interpolated latitude and longitude from underway vessel data. This provides a digital record of scientific activities like equipment deployments and specimen collections.
Use Cases
- Map the spatial distribution of different event_type activities (e.g., CTD casts, net tows) using start_lat_dec_deg and start_lon_dec_deg.
- Analyze the duration and sequencing of scientific operations by calculating intervals between start_time_utc and end_time_utc fields.
- Correlate logged event_type_number sequences with physical samples or other voyage datasets using the universal station_number.
- Reconstruct the voyage track and research transects by linking events across consecutive leg numbers and their associated waypoints.
Strengths
- Data includes interpolated geospatial coordinates (start_lat_dec_deg, end_lon_dec_deg) to enhance the original logbook entries.
- Events are cross-referenced with voyage planning elements via station_number, leg, and waypoint fields.
Limitations
- The exact number of recorded rows (events) is unknown, limiting assessment of statistical significance.
- Latitude/longitude values are interpolated from underway data, not direct GPS readings at each event start time.
- Event log entries were written as they occurred and may not be strictly chronological, as noted in the event_number description.
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AU_AADC) via NASA EarthData.
- Collection Method
- Direct digital transcription of a paper logbook kept by scientists and technical staff aboard the RV Aurora Australis, with position data interpolated from underway vessel navigation records.
- Time Range
- Mid-January to late February 2016.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Southern Ocean along the K-Axis voyage track in the Antarctic region.