Mar del Plata Canyon: underwater robot live stream draws over a million viewers per day

My name is Sophia and I’m really excited to bring you yet another dive stream and so is the Argentine public. The live cast of the submarine robot exploring the Mara del Plata Canyon 4,500 m beneath the ocean surface has been broadcast since last week, reaching over 1 million viewers. YouTube users have been particularly hooked by images of ethereal sea creatures, bright corals, and one star in particular, a cheeky orange starfish that users have compared to Spongebob Squarepants character Patrick Star. Thomas Lupy, the head of the Argentine Research Institute in charge of the expedition, is thrilled by its popularity. They’ve never had such a wide outreach before. It’s really huge. The fact that the replay of the streaming has more views or more viewers than most streams in Argentina is honestly crazy. A 25 person team is leading the mission from a ship above the Atlantic Ocean Canyon where they operate the robot. Viewers can discover the underwater oasis where the cold nutrient-rich Malvinus current and the warm salty Brazil current converge for the first time and at the same time as scientists do. For Luby, the winning combination comes at a crucial moment in time. Science in Argentina is going through a really tough time financially, in terms of support, human resources and so on, etc. And the fact that this is happening is like a beacon of light. Internet’s messages of long live connoisse contrast with the self-described anarchco capitalist Argentine president Javier Malay’s budget cuts to public spending. Connet, the government’s scientific research branch, has seen its budget reduced by 21% last year. Consequently, plunging salaries have unleashed a brain drain of the country’s scientists.

A robot is navigating the cold depths of the South Atlantic seabed, streaming images of dazzling coral and previously unseen fish, while scientists provide live commentary on YouTube – and Argentines are captivated. The scientific mission is for the first time exploring the Mar del Plata canyon, a submarine gorge which plunges nearly 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) deep. The live stream began a week ago and exceeded one million views per day since Thursday.
#Science #Americas #underwater

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10 comments

  4. Let this serve to show how worthwhile investment in science and education is: graduates of public universities and members of national research organizations expanding knowledge of the country's natural resources, inspiring young professionals, and also entertaining, why not? Hopefully, the president will stop trying to defund public education and break up Argentina's science and technology system.

  8. Es verdad. Doy fé de ello. Pensábamos que por el frío y las muy fuertes corrientes además de la contaminación y la depredación marina no había nada.

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