James Cameron in the Mariana Trench

[hgc]

As I write this, James Cameron is sitting at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, a mile more below the surface of the ocean than Mt Everest is tall.

In case you thought he was just a Hollywood dilettante with an expensive hobby rooting around the ocean floors, this is some serious explorational achievement. My hat's off to him.

(Yes, I know he's not the first to reach there, but he is the first to have clear view of things.)

 

[ravdin]

Pretty cool. More people have walked on the moon.

 

[arthwollipot]

He's also the first person to go down there since 1960.

 

[X]

I can't wait to see the images.
Assuming he returns.



Off-topic: where do I get a job designing those subs?

 

[jhunter1163]

How noble of him.

Wait... you don't suppose he's coming BACK, do you?

 

[ravdin]

One consolation if he doesn't is that his death will be instant and painless.

(Assuming that you wouldn't wish for him to suffer, as a human being if not a filmmaker).

 

[ben m]

Off-topic: where do I get a job designing those subs?

Woods Hole, maybe Scripps.

 

[GodMark2]

How noble of him.

Wait... you don't suppose he's coming BACK, do you?

He said James Cameron, not Kirk.

 

[grmcdorman]

Good article on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17503395

 

[SezMe]

Here's an article from National Geographic, one of the sponsors. Some of the links show nice videos and an animation. Worth a visit.

 

[Halfcentaur]

My favorite pic so far:

They seem intelligent.

 

[alfaniner]

He's King of the Underworld!

 

[Olowkow]

http://deepseachallenge.com/

This the main site with a lot of information about all aspects of the project. The pilot's chamber is spherical, 2.5 inches thick, steel. I would love to know what kind of electrical feedthroughs they use for all the control cables.

 

[MG1962]

As I write this, James Cameron is sitting at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, a mile more below the surface of the ocean than Mt Everest is tall.

In case you thought he was just a Hollywood dilettante with an expensive hobby rooting around the ocean floors, this is some serious explorational achievement. My hat's off to him.

(Yes, I know he's not the first to reach there, but he is the first to have clear view of things.)

I thought the trench was closer to 4 or 5 miles deep

 

[RecoveringYuppy]

I thought the trench was closer to 4 or 5 miles deep

Nearly seven. Note the comparison to how high Everest is.

 

[RecoveringYuppy]

My favorite pic so far:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/evilknick/nti.jpgThey seem intelligent.

But is it a face hugger?

 

[SezMe]

I thought the trench was closer to 4 or 5 miles deep

A mile deeper than Everest is high.

Everest: 8,848 metres (29,029 ft)
Trench: 10,910 metres (35,800 ft)

ETA: The ex-Yuppy beat me to it.

 

[steve s]

I didn't hear anything about this leading up to it. It's pretty impressive that it was solo. I suppose the sphere is a lot smaller and easier to build for just one person. I wonder if he had a window or relied solely on cameras. I'm guessing cameras. I wouldn't want to trust my life to some glass.

Steve S.

 

[SezMe]

I didn't hear anything about this leading up to it. It's pretty impressive that it was solo. I suppose the sphere is a lot smaller and easier to build for just one person. I wonder if he had a window or relied solely on cameras. I'm guessing cameras. I wouldn't want to trust my life to some glass.

Steve S.

One small view port.

 

[Checkmite]

You're all missing the most significant milestone of this mission:

@JimCameron:
Just arrived at the ocean's deepest pt. Hitting bottom never felt so good. Can't wait to share what I'm seeing w/ you @DeepChallenge

Deepest tweet ever.