Science and Health

Boaty McBoatface Is Heading Off On Its Very First Mission

About a year after an online competition came up with the unique name, Boaty is making its way to Antarctica.

Boaty McBoatface Is Heading Off On Its Very First Mission
National Oceanography Centre
SMS

Boaty McBoatface is heading off on its very first mission.

About a year after an online competition came up with the unique name, Boaty is making its way to Antarctica.  

There, the unmanned sub will investigate water flow and underwater turbulence in the Orkney Passage, a deep and narrow gap connecting Antarctic water to the Atlantic Ocean.

Researchers hope the information Boaty collects during its maiden voyage will help them understand how the ocean is responding to global warming.

This Town Let The Public Name A Gritter Truck, And Things Got Punny
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We have to stop trusting the public to name things, guys.

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If this little submarine doesn't look familiar, that's because it isn't the vessel the public originally voted to name Boaty McBoatface last year.

After the contest, embarrassed officials at the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council decided to name their new polar research ship after Sir David Attenborough instead.

Boaty is expected to leave for Antarctica at the end of the week.