Whale Watching from Outer Space

http://www.livescience.com/43338-count-whales-using-satellites.html

High-resolution satellites have made counting whale populations much easier and more effective. Before this new type of whale counting was invented, researchers, such as Peter Fretwell and his team of whale population experts, would be forced to estimate the whale population from the amount of tail flips and blowhole spurts they could count from the bow of their ship. This technique was inconsistent due to a limited field of vision of up to only several miles. Researchers are thrilled for the opportunities that present themselves from the satellite view of the ocean. They hope to be more adequately equipped to help whale preservation by having a more accurate count of the whale populations.

The satellite used by these researchers has a resolution of 4 pixels per 11 feet. Fretwell and his team programmed the satellite to pinpoint southern right whales that breed off of the coast of Argentina. Though the satellite has made huge advances, the pictures are still blurry, and it is difficult for the researchers to tell the difference between a southern right whale or a large rock of relatively the same size. The satellite will also have to be tested to see if its numbers accurately match up with other data collected. However, Fretwell is optimistic, and he claims that they are making advances to send a satellite up to space with a resolution of 9 pixels per 11 feet which will increases the resolution of the current satellite by over double the pixels. With these advances, Fretwell is confident that there will be serious advancements made in protecting the important populations of whales in the ocean.

NOS Themes

• Science is collaborative. The researchers will use all of the data that they have collected form looking at whales from their ships and from the satellite pictures in order to get the most reliable count of whale populations.
• Role of Credibility. As of now, the resolution of the camera is horrific, and it is nearly impossible for the researchers to tell the difference between a whale and a large rock. It will be important in the future to get better resolution to prove the credibility of the images.
• Role of Motivation and Curiosity. The researchers want to find out how they can best help save the whale populations. These satellite pictures will help them get a better understanding of how they can help a population of whales.

Further Questions: 

Does it really matter if scientists have an accurate account of whale populations?

Is the resolution of the satellite pictures better than or more reliable than counting tail flips and blowhole spurts?

Why is it important to keep whale populations alive?

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