Invited Speakers

Urtehaven 48A, DK 2500 Valby & The Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen

Juliane Maries Vej 30, DK 2100  Oe

Born in Roskilde, Denmark  on  20. September, 1943

High School student, 1961.

Junior teacher in public schools in Vejle, Denmark , 1961-1962.

Conscript in the Royal Danish Navy , 1962-1964.

Student at University of Copenhagen ( geography, geology, mathematics, physics, chemistry and geophysics) , 1964 – 1971.

Stipends from NATO Subcommitte in Oceanographic Research and Nordic College for Physical Oceanography,  University of Bergen, Norway, 1968-1971.

Bachelor and Master degree ( mag. scient. ) in Physical Oceanography, University of Copenhagen, 1971.

Candidate stipends from University of Copenhagen 1972-1974.

Ph. D. degree ( lic. scient. ) in Physical Oceanography, University of Copenhagen, 1974.

First teaching position at University of Copenhagen, 1974-1976.

Second teaching position ( Assoc. Prof., tenure ) at University of Copenhagen, 1976 and onwards.

Member of the Danish Academy for Natural Sciences, 1982 and onwards.

Doctor of Science ( dr. scient. ) in Physical Oceanography, University of Copenhagen, 1986.

ABSTRACT

Wet marine optics in the past before  NIMBUS-7/CZCS 1978 – a historical review

Højerslev, Niels Kristian - Niels Bohr Institute, Juliane Maries Vej 30, DK 2100 Copenhagen, Ø, Denmark

Never read the Bible as the Devil when it comes to History…

Old dignitaries or local brass like N. G. Jerlov, J. E. Tyler, S. Duntley, V. A. Timofeeva and A. Ivanov put an end to the good old days of marine optics by their retirements and a new era began with the launch of NIMBUS-7/CZCS 1978.

The view on the sea from an optical point of view (what else?) after October, 1978 changed dramatically for a large number of reasons some of which will be mentioned here. First, remote sensing gave us a completely new view on the sea. Suddenly we could see far and fast although not deep but here was help to get from traditional marine optical measurements at sea. Second, marine biology, chemistry, geology and modelling were deeply integrated into marine optics. Third, the technology so to speak exploded. We got cheap,  fast and truly reliable light sensors and light sources in combination with fast data transmission and data handling systems to which GPS navigational systems belong.. This development seems to be ever accelerating. Forth, the number of marine opticians has increased considerably and the male dominance in our scientific society has fortunately been put under considerable female pressure. University experiences in my part of the world indicate that the new coming students are not freshmen but fresh women. This might not give a new view on the sea but certainly a majority of females in the years to come.

The ancient history of marine optics starting from Sir I. Newton tells another story than the one above. Satellites were absent, females were absent, and the “handful” of marine opticians were normally not professionally trained but had a background in physics, chemistry or geophysics. All members belonging to the exclusive optical club knew one another privately as well as professionally. So, the club members wrote papers for one another if not for themselves. Internal institute reports were often used in order to spread data and results in a  straight forward and speedy manner among peers – but to-day this is also history.

The instrumental revolution in ancient marine optics is by no means ancient. It can be characterised by means of six keywords: The O-ring, the underwater electric connectors, the slip rings on the winch, the electrical hydrographical wire, the light diode and the PIN-diode. The mechanical devices solved all water leakage problems, practically speaking and the semi-conductor  techniques solved most practical problems with respect to size, instrumental implementations, high voltage, power consumption, heat release/cooling and electronic stability. Before that time in the 1960-ies technical problems were quite common. Too often an optical meter was a mere water sampler.

Main focus in this context will focus on the general instrumental developments since Sir I. Newton and onward up to 1978 but with emphasis on the period of time between 1850 – 1978. It will be stressed and explained that what really characterises wet marine optics (and physical oceanography in general as well ) is the intimate bond between science and the large variety of ingenious/exotic instruments often constructed by the users themselves  in contrast to present day situation. The old and wet marine optics has indeed become old fashioned but forms nevertheless a firm ground for future generations. Sir I. Newton proves I am right.