The Abyss: November 2007 - March 2009

Due to RL concerns I have reluctantly and sadly had to sell the Abyss land. I have a lot of good memories and have hopes that it can be recreated elsewhere when times are better.

Feeding Time

Sunn takes a picture of Rezago feeding the shark at the Abyss...

One Year!

The Abyss Museum of Ocean Science celebrates its first anniversary on Saturday, November 15, 2008!

From 1 to 3pm SL time on November 15th, Rezago and Sunn will be conducting guided tours every half hour.

Video

Feeling the urge to view some sea creatures in person, I recently visited the aquarium in Denver, Colorado.

Hurricane warning! (and a new submarine exhibit)

Yes, its hurricane season, and there is a lot of activity. So Sunn has placed a hurricane at the Abyss. There is a little rain but the winds aren't bad, really. To learn more, visit the NOAA National Hurricane Center website.

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On a totally unrelated subject, I've place a new submarine exhibit: the Ictineo I.

Ictineo I was a pioneering submarine constructed in 1858–1859 by Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol, and the predecessor of his later Ictineo II.

Ictineo links:
Wikipedia

Volcanic Discovery

Scientists today announced the stunning discovery of an underwater volcano beneath the Abyss Museum of Ocean Science. This volcano is highly active and dangerous, spewing and tossing lava bombs across a wide expanse of the ocean floor. Visitors to the Abyss are asked to exercise extreme caution when venturing into the depths. Management is not responsible for any burns, scratches, or dents caused by falling lava rocks. Please watch your step...

New exhibit: the Jacques Cousteau diving saucer

This is a full scale model located in the shallow water just off the pier of the Welcome Area.

The SP-350 Denise, famous as the "Diving saucer" (Soucoupe plongeante), is a small submarine designed to hold two people, and is capable of exploring depths of up to 400 metres. It was invented by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Jean Mollard and constructed in 1959.

Video: "The Cousteau Diving Saucer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography "



The 'Diving Saucer' is 10 feet in diameter, 5.3 feet in height, and weighs approximately 7,000 pounds. Her two-man crew operate her by lying prone on opposite sides of a central water ballast tank that enables the craft to attain zero weight in the sea. Steering is done by turning two jets on opposite sides of the craft near the forward end, or stopping the flow of fuel to one of them.

The saucer is capable of turning left or right, pitching down or up, and going straight forward or backward. It is also able to spin completely around in one location, affording its crew a panoramic view of any underwater area from their normal prone position. Additional observation windows are located in the top half of the saucer. There are three of these, 120 degrees apart, and each providing a view of 170 degrees.

Descent and ascent of the saucer are controlled by droppable ballast weights. Fine adjustments in buoyancy are made by regulating the in-flow and outflow at the central water ballast tank. Contact with the surface is maintained by underwater phone and two-way radio. Powerful search lamps at the forward end of the vehicle enable the crew to record whatever they see on film.
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