{"id":4014,"date":"2012-03-15T12:53:31","date_gmt":"2012-03-15T01:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scienceillustrated.com.au\/blog\/?p=4014"},"modified":"2012-04-05T16:38:34","modified_gmt":"2012-04-05T06:38:34","slug":"uncovering-the-secrets-of-the-deep-ocean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceillustrated.com.au\/blog\/culture\/uncovering-the-secrets-of-the-deep-ocean\/","title":{"rendered":"Uncovering the secrets of the deep ocean"},"content":{"rendered":"
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James Cameron will pilot the 12-ton vehicle that will reach the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Image: DeepSea Challenge\/Telstra<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

After six years of research and preparation, James Cameron and his crew are ready to take a plunge into the Earth’s final frontier.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Little known fact: James Francis Cameron studied physics at Fullerton Junior College.<\/p>\n

Known facts: After directing Titanic<\/em> (1997), James Cameron founded Earthship Productions. The company produces documentaries usually related to ocean exploration such as Ghosts of the Abyss<\/em> and Aliens of the Deep<\/em>.<\/p>\n

But enough about that…<\/p>\n

James Cameron, who is now a National Geographic explorer in residence, is on board the Mermaid Sapphire<\/em>. Within the next few weeks, he will descend 10,973 metres inside a sophisticated submarine built in Sydney, Australia, that will allow him to explore the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth.<\/p>\n

Once he “\u02dclands,’ the award-winning director will collect samples of never-before-seen marine animals, rocks and images that will allow us to better understand the ocean. With the footage Cameron will produce a 3D documentary that will take us to the ultimate frontier.<\/p>\n

“In my world exploration is much more exciting than making movies”\u00a6 Since I was a kid I was fascinated by science, I was an avid reader of science fiction, so the idea of other words, other planets was amazing to me. And what I found out was that there is an alien world right here on our own planet and we can visit it,”\u009d said Cameron in a statement.<\/p>\n

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The submarine will descend at about 5 knots (150 metres) a minute. Image: Telstra<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The DeepSea Challenge is a collaboration between James Cameron, the National Geographic Society, Rolex and Telstra. “Telstra’s technology will also create a “\u02dcglobal classroom’ simultaneously linking students from schools in Perth, Australia, and Malibu, California, via a live three-way connection directly to the boast so they can share first-hand in the excitement of scientific discovery,”\u009d said Mark Buckman, Telstra Chief Marketing Officer.<\/p>\n

This first manned mission to the deepest place on Earth, will take place within the next few weeks, once the Mermaid Sapphire<\/em> reaches the Mariana Trench. Follow this historical event at deepseachallenge.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Little known fact: James Cameron has 72 submersible dives to his credit. He is a member of the Mars Planetary Society and was a member of NASA’s Advisory Council for three years. \u00a0We wonder what his next mission will be?<\/p>\n