From Deep Sea to Laboratory 1

The scientific expedition of H.M.S. Challenger in the 1870s marks the starting point of physical oceanography. This ship traveled the seas of the globe pursuing a dual objective: to conduct an in-depth study of animal life and to observe the physical properties of ocean waters.

Volume 1, richly illustrated, relates the expedition of the Challenger and addresses the problems of measuring the great depths. A theoretical approach to the immersion velocity of a probe is also proposed, as well as a presentation of some results of bathymetric surveys and physical observations made by the Challenger scientists.

From Deep Sea to Laboratory is available in three volumes for curious readers drawn to travel, history and science. Students, researchers and teachers of physics, fluid mechanics and oceanography will find material to deepen their knowledge.

1. Background and Challenges of Submarine Exploration in the 19th Century.
2. Sailors and Scientists of the H.M.S. Challenger.
3. Narrative Summary of the H.M.S. Challenger Cruise.
4. Scientific Equipment and Observations of the H.M.S. Challenger.

Frédéric Aitken is a CNRS researcher who has previously worked at the Electrostatics and Dielectric Materials Laboratory (LEMD) and is currently working at the Grenoble Electrical Engineering Laboratory (G2Elab). He is the former President of the Alps section of the French Society of Physics.

Jean-Numa Foulc is Honorary Professor at Grenoble Alpes University in France. He has had successive positions as an Assistant Professor and then Professor at the Universities of Rouen, Montpellier and Grenoble (Polytech Grenoble). He is currently a researcher at G2Elab.