Ship based observations

Rare encounter: Research vessels Meteor and Polarstern meet near the equator at 23°W.
The observing physical oceanography group is mainly working on data measured directly in the ocean, so-called in-situ data. This means that open ocean cruises onboard the big research vessels still remain the highlights in the professional life of Physical Oceanographers. All publications and all results are somehow based on data gathered during these cruises: