earth science

Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic

Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic is a earth science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic rather than just read about it. In short: The Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic (PIRATA) is a system of moored observation buoys in the tropical Atlantic Ocean which collect meteorological and oceanographic data. The data collected by the PIRATA array helps scientists to better understand climatic events in the Tropical Atlantic and to improve weather forecasting and climate research worldwide.

Key takeaways

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Reference excerpt

The Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic (PIRATA) is a system of moored observation buoys in the tropical Atlantic Ocean which collect meteorological and oceanographic data. The data collected by the PIRATA array helps scientists to better understand climatic events in the Tropical Atlantic and to improve weather forecasting and climate research worldwide. Climatic and oceanic events in the tropical Atlantic, such as the Tropical Atlantic SST Dipole affect rainfall and climate in both West Africa and Northeast Brazil. The northern tropical Atlantic is also a major formation area for hurricanes affecting the West Indies and the United States. Alongside the RAMA array in the Indian Ocean and the TAO/TRITON network in the Pacific Ocean, PIRATA forms part of the worldwide system of tropical ocean observing buoys.

Partners The project is a tripartite cooperation between Brazil, France and the United States. The principal agencies involved are NOAA in the United States, IRD and Météo-France of France plus INPE and DHN from Brazil.

PIRATA network The PIRATA buoy network consists of seventeen Autonomous Temperature Line Acquisition System, or ATLAS, buoys. Twelve buoys were originally deployed in 1997. Two of these buoys were decommissioned in 1999 because of vandalism by fishing craft. Three extensions of the original network have been added. Three buoys were deployed off the coast of Brazil in 2005 and four more in 2006/2007 to extend coverage to the north and the north-east. As a demonstration exercise one buoy was deployed to the south-east of the region, off the coast of Africa, between June 2006 and June 2007. In addition to the ATLAS buoys, PIRATA has three island based meteorological stations, one at Fernando de Noronha, another on the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago and one on São Tomé. A tidal gauge is also maintained at São Tomé. Dedicated hydrographic cruises and annual buoy maintenance voyages are also undertaken under the auspices of the PIRATA project.

ATLAS buoys Each ATLAS buoy measures

wind speed and direction, air temperature, rainfall, humidity, solar radiation, pressure, temperature and conductivity to 500 metres below sea level. In addition one buoy has an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler fitted alongside to measure water current velocities and four buoys are equipped to measure net heat flux. Daily mean observations from the ATLAS buoys are received in near real time via both the Argos System and Brazilian satellites. The data is processed by the TAO Project Office of NOAA and also placed on the Global Telecommunications System for real time distribution to weather centres and other users. High frequency measurements are stored on the buoys and retrieved during maintenance operations. The array provides 4,000 to 4,500 unique hourly values per month.

Notable locations One of the buoys was positioned at 0°N 0°E, where the Equator and Prime Meridian intersect, off the coast of Africa. This buoy is sometimes jokingly referred to as Null Island.

Notes

References

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In earth science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic

In research: Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic appears in earth science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Buoyage, Oceanographic instrumentation, Physical oceanography, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic in 20 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

What is Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic in simple terms?

Why does Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic matter?

Because it connects several earth science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Atlantic.