Scientific Studies on Clipperton

 

 

  

     An important goal of the dxpedition is furthering our knowledge about Clipperton Atoll and its ecosystem.  As part of our application for our landing permit, certain scientific studies would be performed during our stay on the atoll.  This program was elaborated in collaboration with Professor Christian JOST, director of the geopraphical research center of Paul Verlaine University in Metz and specialist of the atoll.

 

DOWNLOAD PDF FRENCH VERSION HERE          DOWNLOAD PDF ENGLISH VERSION HERE

 

 

Program of the observation and scientific activities: March 6-18, 2008

 

1) Setting up of a weather station WS 3600:

This automatic station set up between Bougainville Wood and the stele will record:

- the temperatures in the shade and out in the open

- the atmospheric pressure

- the rainfall

- the humidity

- the speed and direction of the wind.

The recording will take place every 15 minutes during our stay on the island.

 

2) Study of the propagation of radio waves:

Recording of the different contacts according to the correspondent's emitting area, the time,

the frequency and the sun activity.

Comparison of these data with the theoretical models - simulations - realized before the

activity.

 

3) State of the herbaceous plant coverage on the ring:

Recording and photography of the bindweed patches and the flora on the ring and on the

inside islets next to the ring. (Îles aux Sternes, île le crochet)

 

4) Observation of the birds living on the atoll:

Recording in situ of the usual places of the birds on the island – especially the masked

boobies, brown boobies, red-footed boobies, frigate birds, brown noddies, terns, coots,…

 

5) Observation to detect any human presence or occupation.

Observation, positioning, photography and description of any tracks of alien presence and/or

occupation on the atoll – landing tracks, graffiti, coconut tree cuttings, trash, new wrecks…

 

6) Checking of the preservation state of the geodesic marker:

The geodesic marker was embedded in a crevice in the rock during Passion 2001 mission.

(see photos in the appendix)

We are to check it is still there, together with the identification plaque, check the

preservation state of the mortar and repair it if need be.

 

7) Tides timetable:

Recording of the actual times of a few high and low tides to compare with the theoretical

model given by Mr Laurent Testut from the LEGOS – Laboratory of Spatial Oceanography

and Geophysics Studies – in Toulouse- France.

 

 

Human means:

The work will be carried out by the members of the expedition - 25 people – and more

specifically by Mrs Maryse Davy and Danielle Duchauchoy.

 

Material means:

Equipment brought along by the members of the expedition.

 

Financial means:

Personal funds of the members; a sponsoring application is under way.

 

This program was elaborated in collaboration with Professor Christian JOST, director of the

geographical research center of Paul Verlaine University in Metz and specialist of the atoll.

http://prodig.univparis1.fr/umr/fiches_chercheurs/fiche_jost.htm

http://www.clipperton.fr/

 

Communication of the results:

The results of these observations will be recorded in a document.

The said document will be sent on to Mr Christian JOST, and to whomever might be

interested and sends me a request for it.

Riedisheim, July 13th 2008.

Jean-Pierre KAEUFFER F5AHO

In charge of the scientific aspect of the expedition

15 bis, chemin des Bûcherons

68400 RIEDISHEIM FRANCE

Email: f5aho (at) wanadoo.fr

 

Translated from French by Sylvie Jeanne, August 30th 2008

 

clipmap_small.jpg

The specific places and positions to keep watch on are marked out on the map

above :

A : Bois de Bougainville / (Bougainville Wood)

B : Stele

C : îles aux Sternes / (island)

D : landing strip

E : îles Eggs / (island)

F : Northern coconut grove and former pass

G : Wrecks and shelters

H : Rock with geodesic marker

J : presqu’île du Crochet

K : Costarican wreck

L : Wreck

Embedding of the geodesic marker (Passion 2001 mission )

                                  geo2.jpg

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