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Published August 07, 2012, 12:00 AM

Photo Gallery: Aboard the R/V Blue Heron


University of Minnesota Duluth Chancellor Lynn Black (from the left), UM President Eric Kaler, and Large Lakes Observatory researcher Liz Austin-Minor visit on the R/V Blue Heron Monday afternoon. Kaler, Black, and others were aboard the Blue Heron to learn about flood-related and other research being conducted on the vessel and by the LLO. In the background are two devices researchers use to gather information on water chemistry and conditions. The glider on the left can be programmed to work independently on the lake at depth up to 500 feet for 25 days at a time; the device on the right is lowered from the Blue Heron on a cable. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)

  • University of Minnesota Duluth Chancellor Lynn Black (from the left), UM President Eric Kaler, and Large Lakes Observatory researcher Liz Austin-Minor visit on the R/V Blue Heron Monday afternoon. Kaler, Black, and others were aboard the Blue Heron to learn about flood-related and other research being conducted on the vessel and by the LLO. In the background are two devices researchers use to gather information on water chemistry and conditions. The glider on the left can be programmed to work independently on the lake at depth up to 500 feet for 25 days at a time; the device on the right is lowered from the Blue Heron on a cable. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)
  • Large Lakes Observatory researcher Jay Austin (left) explains an autonomous glider to University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler aboard the Blue Heron Monday. The LLO uses the device to gather data on Lake Superior’s water at depths up to 500 feet. The device can operate independently up to 25 days on a single set of batteries. Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com
  • Using hand signals to communicate with a winch operator, Jason Agnich, a marine technician aboard the Blue Heron, helps lower a CTD device into Lake Superior from the stern of the vessel. The device will gather information on water temperature, oxygen content, and chemistry at various depths. The bottles can collect water samples at whatever depth researchers want. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)
  • University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler (right) listens as Large Lakes Observatory researcher Liz Austin-Minor explains some of the water condition data marine technician Jason Agnich is gathering from a CTD device deployed from the R/V Blue Heron Monday. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)
  • Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon listens as marine technician Jason Agnich talks about the R/V Blue Heron’s sonar system and the image of the lake’s bottom on the screen. The vessel passed over the wreck of the Thomas Wilson, which sank in 70 feet of water in 1902 after a collision with the George Hadley. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)