Halifax, Canada, July 18 2013 - The world's largest solar-powered catamaran, PlanetSolar, has arrived in Halifax Canada after an 11-day journey from Boston-the latest leg in a series of scientific missions.
The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar in 2012 completed the first solar-powered trip around the world after 584 days and 60,000 kilometres. After setting out again in April this year, the vessel has travelled from Spain to the West Indies and then up the coast of North America.
The latest leg of the "DeepWater" scientific expedition allowed three scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and one researcher from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to observe and analyze the phenomenon of ocean eddies.
This stopover in Nova Scotia, which represents the ship's northernmost point thus far, will allow PlanetSolar to disseminate her positive message about the use of solar energy and raise public awareness about climate change. The ship is expected to remain moored at Waterfront Development until Tuesday, July 23.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), through its GRID-Geneva centre, is supporting this extraordinary expedition by processing satellite data to help guide the Planet Solar throughout its mission.
Satellite images giving the sea surface temperature and the chlorophyll concentration will indicate the best possible route for the catamaran to take most accurate measurements along the Gulf Stream. UNEP is also providing the infrastructure where all data will be registered and accessible to the crew.
Pictures available at:
http://www.planetsolar.org/press
Login : press
Password : planet2013solar
Further Information
More details on the trip to Halifax: http://www.planetsolar.org/blog/planetsolar-reaches-the-canadian-coast-a...
More information on the vessel and its journeys: http://www.unep.org/NEWSCENTRE/default.aspx?DocumentId=2718&ArticleId=95...
PlanetSolar SA
Phone: +41 79 547 42 14 or +41 78 724 48 31
University of Geneva
Phone: +41 76 401 75 45
