National Oceanography Centre Southampton facts for kids
 |
|
|
Former name
|
Southampton Oceanography Centre (SOC) |
|---|---|
| Type | public research and teaching institution |
| Established | 1994 |
|
Academic staff
|
125 OES + 150 NOC |
| Undergraduates | 750 |
| Postgraduates | 45 |
| 205 | |
| Website | https://www.noc.ac.uk |
The National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS) is a special place where scientists study the ocean and Earth. It's also where students learn about these topics. NOCS started in 1995. It was a joint project between the University of Southampton and the UK's Natural Environment Research Council.
NOCS is located right by the port of Southampton. It has modern buildings and equipment. In 2010, the university and NERC parts became separate. But they still work closely together. They share research projects, labs, and even a special school for advanced students. The university part of NOCS is called "Ocean and Earth Science" (OES). In 2019, it was ranked 46th in the world for Earth and Marine Sciences.
In 2019, the NERC part of NOCS became its own independent charity. It is now known simply as the National Oceanography Centre (NOC).
Contents
History of Ocean Research
The story of NOCS goes back to the years after Second World War. That's when the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) was first created.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was a plan to build a top-notch center for ocean and Earth science. This plan came from the Natural Environment Research Council and the University of Southampton. They built a new research and teaching complex. It was placed right on the waterfront in the Port of Southampton. This new center brought together several groups. These included the National Institute of Oceanographic Science and the University of Southampton's geology and oceanography departments.
NOCS officially opened in 1996. It was first called the Southampton Oceanography Centre. Prince Philip opened the center. He also helped rename it to the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, in 2005. The first director of the center was John Shepherd. He was a scientist who studied the Earth system.
Ocean and Earth Research
Scientists at NOCS study many different things about the ocean and Earth. They work in groups, each focusing on a specific area.
Here are some of the main research areas:
- Geochemistry: Studying the chemistry of the Earth and oceans.
- Geology and Geophysics: Looking at the Earth's structure and how it changes.
- Marine Biology and Ecology: Learning about sea creatures and their environments.
- Marine Biogeochemistry: How living things and chemistry interact in the ocean.
- Paleoceanography and Paleoclimate: Studying ancient oceans and climates.
- Physical Oceanography: Understanding ocean currents, waves, and temperatures.
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) also has its own research groups:
- Marine Geoscience: Studying the geology of the seafloor.
- Marine Physics and Ocean Climate: How the ocean's physics affects climate.
- Marine Systems Modelling: Using computers to create models of ocean systems.
- Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems: How ocean life and chemistry work together.
- Ocean Technology and Engineering: Developing new tools for ocean research.
NOCS has many helpful resources for its research. It has the UK's largest collection of oceanographic books. It also stores important samples like ocean sediment cores.
Amazing Facilities
NOCS has special facilities for both research and teaching. It can teach nearly 1000 students. These students are studying for different degrees, from undergraduate to PhD.
Research Vessels
NOCS is home to two important research ships: the RRS Discovery and the RRS James Cook. These large ships travel the world's oceans to collect data. For smaller research trips, NOCS uses a vessel called the 19.75 metres (64.8 ft) catamaran RV Callista. This smaller boat helps students get hands-on experience at sea.
Robots for Ocean Exploration
NOCS has a special group that builds and uses robots for ocean research. These robots help scientists explore parts of the ocean that are hard for humans to reach. They have different types of robots, including:
- Autosub submarines: These robots can explore deep underwater on their own.
- Underwater gliders: These robots glide through the water, collecting data for long periods.
- Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs): These are robots controlled by people from the ship.
Research Aquariums
NOCS has many aquariums. They are used to study different ocean environments. You can see tanks that look like seagrass beds or rocky shores. They even have special tanks for studying deep-sea creatures. The NOCS Coral Reef Laboratory has an aquarium system for studying corals.
Advanced Scientific Tools
NOCS has many advanced tools for analyzing samples. They have machines that can study the magnetism of rocks. Other tools can look at the tiny details of materials using X-rays. For studying the chemistry of water and rocks, they have very powerful machines called mass spectrometers. These can measure tiny amounts of different elements.
To study the seafloor, NOCS uses special equipment that sends sound waves into the ocean. This helps them create maps of the seafloor and see what's underneath. They also have special sensors that can be placed on the seabed to collect data.
British Ocean Sediment Core Repository
NOCS is home to the British Ocean Sediment Core Repository (BOSCORF). This is a central storage place for sediment cores. These cores are long tubes of mud and rock taken from the ocean floor. They hold clues about Earth's past climate and oceans. All the data from these cores is saved and can be used by other scientists.
Learning at NOCS
NOCS offers many ways for students to learn about the ocean and Earth.
University Programs
Students can choose from different university programs. They can study for three years to get a Bachelor of Science degree. Or they can study for four years to get an Integrated Master of Science degree. There's also a special "Foundation Year" for students who need extra preparation.
The main subjects offered are:
- Oceanography
- Marine Biology
- Geology
- Geophysics
Advanced Study Programs
NOCS also has programs for students who want to continue their studies after their first degree. They can get Master's or PhD degrees. NOCS also leads a group of research centers that train future scientists.
Public Events
NOCS also shares its knowledge with the public. They have an annual "Ocean and Earth Day." This is a fun event where everyone can learn about ocean science. They also have talks about marine life and "Discover Oceanography" sessions on the RV Callista boat.
NOCS Policies
NOCS cares about fairness and the environment.
Fairness and Diversity
Both the university part (OES) and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) work to be fair to everyone. They have joined a program called Athena SWAN. This program helps make sure that everyone, no matter their gender, feels welcome and valued. OES received an award for its efforts to create an inclusive culture.
Caring for the Environment
NOCS also works hard to be environmentally friendly. They have a special system to manage their environmental impact. They have installed 544 solar panels to make electricity from the sun. They also use water-saving toilets. These efforts help them save energy and water.
See also
- Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level
- Global Sea Level Observing System
- Newlyn Tidal Observatory
- List of British Oceanographers on Wikipedia
