UMD tests new unmanned research submarine
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A small yellow submarine is exploring Lake Superior to give scientists information about water temperatures and conductivity.
The 7-foot-long, unmanned vessel is expected to be in the lake for about two weeks. It moves slowly and surfaces every three hours to get any new signals from scientists.
Jay Austin, a researcher at the Large Lakes Observatory at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, says he's just testing the device's capabilities at this point.
If it works well, Austin says the so-called underwater glider is much cheaper to operate than a boat with crew, and it's more likely to stay on target no matter the weather. He says the device will help researchers study temperatures, water clarity, oxygen levels and underwater organisms.
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Information from: Duluth News Tribune
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