Photo: VLIZ | Nick Decombel fotografie
All underway data recorded by the research vessel RV Simon Stevin enter a data system at the Flanders Marine Institute VLIZ. Have a look at the revamped MIDAS website, where you can watch and retrieve all info and data (meteo, navigation and water quality) from sampling campaigns.
Do you, a marine scientist, sometimes join the research vessel RV Simon Stevin? Then you probably know the MIDAS (Marine Information and Data Acquisition System) website!
The data acquisition system (DCAFS) on board the research vessel records all kinds of underway data, from navigational and meteorological to oceanographic records. The MIDAS website makes that data easily available to users. For example, to get an instant view of the actual water temperature, or the depth of the water column.
With this MIDAS system, scientists working on board also record what research activities they carry out, when and where. Once back on shore, they can easily retrieve, thoroughly analyse and interpret the collected parameters from the underwater data system.
Through the MIDAS website, you can additionally request ship time and consult the sailing schedule. You can also consult and download CTD-casts online, or project the travelled route of a cruise on a map.
All underway data are stored in a centralised database and can be retrieved at any time for all campaigns - by anyone, whether you were on board or not.
The MIDAS website was recently revamped. An opportunity to have a look (again)?
As far as possible, the functionalities of the data system have been kept identical to what our users were used to. What is new is that the MS Access scheduling input interface is now integrated into the website, and underway data can now also be retrieved via the LifeWatch Data explorer. The website is built on PHP/Symfony, which will make machine-to-machine integration easier in the future.
Take a look at the revamped MIDAS website.
