TEDxStanford
Dustin Schroeder: How we look kilometers below the Antarctic ice sheet
Dustin Schroeder: 我们如何去观察南极冰层几公里以下的部分
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南极是一个巨大的，动态的环境，但是雷达技术——从二战时期的电影到最先进的迷你传感器——都使得科学家能够观察和了解在大陆冰面以下部分的改变，所能观察的细节前所未有。加入到冰川学家Dustin Schroeder在南极上的飞行过程，去看看探冰雷达如何帮助我们了解关于未来海平面上升——以及融化的冰将会对我们有怎样的影响。
Dustin Schroeder - Radio glaciologist
Dustin Schroeder develops and uses geophysical radar to study Antarctica, Greenland and the icy moons of Jupiter. Full bio
Dustin Schroeder develops and uses geophysical radar to study Antarctica, Greenland and the icy moons of Jupiter. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
我是一个雷达冰川学家。
00:12
I'm a radio glaciologist.
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00:15
That means that I use radar
to study glaciers and ice sheets.
to study glaciers and ice sheets.
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也就是说我用雷达
研究冰川和冰层。
研究冰川和冰层。
00:19
And like most glaciologists right now,
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就像现在大部分的冰川学家，
我在研究预估
00:21
I'm working on the problem of estimating
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有多少冰将会在未来
引起海面上升的问题。
引起海面上升的问题。
00:23
how much the ice is going to contribute
to sea level rise in the future.
to sea level rise in the future.
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今天，我想和你们探讨
00:28
So today, I want to talk to you about
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为什么为海平面上升做出
一个准确的预估是如此之难，
一个准确的预估是如此之难，
00:30
why it's so hard to put good numbers
on sea level rise,
on sea level rise,
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以及为什么我相信通过改变
我们思考雷达技术的方式
我们思考雷达技术的方式
00:33
and why I believe that by changing
the way we think about radar technology
the way we think about radar technology
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以及地球科学教育，
00:37
and earth-science education,
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我们可以有更好的进展。
00:39
we can get much better at it.
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00:42
When most scientists
talk about sea level rise,
talk about sea level rise,
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当大部分的科学家
谈论起海平面上升的时候，
谈论起海平面上升的时候，
通常会展示一张这样的图。
00:44
they show a plot like this.
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00:45
This is produced using ice sheet
and climate models.
and climate models.
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这是基于冰层
和气候模型制作出来的。
和气候模型制作出来的。
00:48
On the right, you can see
the range of sea level
the range of sea level
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在右边，你可以看到
用这些模型预测出的
用这些模型预测出的
未来一百年的
海平面高度范围。
海平面高度范围。
00:51
predicted by these models
over the next 100 years.
over the next 100 years.
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00:54
For context, this is current sea level,
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我来解释一下，这是现今的海平面，
00:57
and this is the sea level
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而这个地方的数值意味着
海平面上升到这个位置以上，
就有四百多万人口面临迁移。
就有四百多万人口面临迁移。
00:58
above which more than 4 million people
could be vulnerable to displacement.
could be vulnerable to displacement.
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01:02
So in terms of planning,
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那么，就计划来说，
这个版本的不确定性已经很大了。
01:04
the uncertainty in this plot
is already large.
is already large.
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01:07
However, beyond that, this plot comes
with the asterisk and the caveat,
with the asterisk and the caveat,
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然而除此之外，这个版本
还附带着星号和警告，
还附带着星号和警告，
“。。。除非西南极的冰层坍塌。”
01:12
"... unless the West Antarctic
Ice Sheet collapses."
Ice Sheet collapses."
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01:15
And in that case, we would be talking
about dramatically higher numbers.
about dramatically higher numbers.
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在那种情况下，我们将会讨论
异常高的数字。
异常高的数字。
01:19
They'd literally be off the chart.
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它们可以超出这张表的范围以外了。
01:21
And the reason we should take
that possibility seriously
that possibility seriously
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我们应该重视
那个可能性的原因
那个可能性的原因
01:24
is that we know from the geologic
history of the Earth
history of the Earth
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是我们知道从地球的
地理学历史角度来看，
地理学历史角度来看，
在历史中有这么一段时期，
01:27
that there were periods in its history
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01:29
when sea level rose
much more quickly than today.
much more quickly than today.
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海平面上升得比现今快得多。
01:32
And right now, we cannot rule out
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现在，我们不能够排除
那个可能性会在未来出现的情况。
01:34
the possibility of that
happening in the future.
happening in the future.
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01:37
So why can't we say with confidence
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那么为什么我们无法确认，
是否很大一部分大陆面积的冰层
01:40
whether or not a significant portion
of a continent-scale ice sheet
of a continent-scale ice sheet
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将会，或者将不会坍塌？
01:46
will or will not collapse?
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01:48
Well, in order to do that, we need models
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要做到这一点，我们需要
能包括像那样的坍塌中会出现的
01:50
that we know include all of the processes,
conditions and physics
conditions and physics
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所有的过程，条件和
物理原理的模型。
物理原理的模型。
01:54
that would be involved
in a collapse like that.
in a collapse like that.
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01:57
And that's hard to know,
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那样的信息很难获取，
因为这些过程和条件发生在
01:58
because those processes
and conditions are taking place
and conditions are taking place
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冰面下几公里的地方，
02:01
beneath kilometers of ice,
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02:03
and satellites, like the one
that produced this image,
that produced this image,
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卫星，比如说
制造这张图像的卫星
制造这张图像的卫星
是看不到它们的。
02:05
are blind to observe them.
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02:07
In fact, we have much more comprehensive
observations of the surface of Mars
observations of the surface of Mars
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实际上相比起对
南极冰层以下的观察，
南极冰层以下的观察，
我们对火星表面的观察
倒还深入得多。
倒还深入得多。
02:12
than we do of what's beneath
the Antarctic ice sheet.
the Antarctic ice sheet.
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02:15
And this is even more challenging
in that we need these observations
in that we need these observations
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更富有挑战性的
是我们需要这些观察
是我们需要这些观察
在空间和时间上
都能达到一个庞大的规模。
都能达到一个庞大的规模。
02:19
at a gigantic scale
in both space and time.
in both space and time.
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02:22
In terms of space, this is a continent.
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就空间来说，这是一块大陆。
02:25
And in the same way that in North America,
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和北美大陆一样，
落基山脉，弗罗里达州大沼泽，
还有五大湖地区都很特殊，
还有五大湖地区都很特殊，
02:27
the Rocky Mountains, Everglades
and Great Lakes regions are very distinct,
and Great Lakes regions are very distinct,
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南极表面区域也是一样。
02:31
so are the subsurface
regions of Antarctica.
regions of Antarctica.
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02:34
And in terms of time, we now know
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就时间而言，我们现在知道
冰层不仅仅以千年和百年的
时间跨度进化，
时间跨度进化，
02:36
that ice sheets not only evolve over
the timescale of millennia and centuries,
the timescale of millennia and centuries,
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它们也在数年和数天的
时间跨度层面发生改变。
时间跨度层面发生改变。
02:40
but they're also changing
over the scale of years and days.
over the scale of years and days.
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所以，我们想要的是在
一整个大陆范围内
一整个大陆范围内
02:44
So what we want is observations
beneath kilometers of ice
beneath kilometers of ice
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02:48
at the scale of a continent,
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对冰层下数公里的区域进行
02:50
and we want them all the time.
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持续的观察。
02:53
So how do we do this?
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那么我们怎么做到呢？
02:54
Well, we're not totally blind
to the subsurface.
to the subsurface.
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首先，我们不是完全
对表层一无所知的。
对表层一无所知的。
02:58
I said in the beginning
that I was a radio glaciologist,
that I was a radio glaciologist,
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在一开始的时候我就说了，
我是一个无线电冰川学家，
我是一个无线电冰川学家，
其背后的原因是
03:01
and the reason that that's a thing
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机载探冰雷达
是我们观察冰层内部时
是我们观察冰层内部时
03:03
is that airborne ice-penetrating radar
is the main tool we have
is the main tool we have
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所依赖的主要工具。
03:07
to see inside of ice sheets.
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03:09
So most of the data used by my group
is collected by airplanes
is collected by airplanes
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所以我们团队使用的大部分
数据是用飞机收集的，
数据是用飞机收集的，
03:13
like this World War II-era DC-3,
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比如这种二战时期的DC-3，
它曾经参加过突出部之役。
03:15
that actually fought
in the Battle of the Bulge.
in the Battle of the Bulge.
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你可以看到在机翼下有天线。
03:17
You can see the antennas
underneath the wing.
underneath the wing.
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这些天线被用来将雷达信号
传送到下面的冰层。
传送到下面的冰层。
03:20
These are used to transmit
radar signals down into the ice.
radar signals down into the ice.
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03:24
And the echos that come back
contain information
contain information
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传回的回声包含有关于
在冰层内部和下面状况的信息。
03:26
about what's happening inside
and beneath the ice sheet.
and beneath the ice sheet.
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03:30
While this is happening,
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在这个过程中，
科学家和工程师在飞机上
03:31
scientists and engineers
are on the airplane
are on the airplane
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要连续呆上8个小时，
03:34
for eight hours at a stretch,
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确保雷达运行正常。
03:35
making sure that the radar's working.
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03:37
And I think this is actually
a misconception
a misconception
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我认为关于这类领域的工作
存在一种误解，
03:40
about this type of fieldwork,
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人们想象着科学家俯视窗外，
03:42
where people imagine
scientists peering out the window,
scientists peering out the window,
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琢磨着地理形状和结构
03:45
contemplating the landscape,
its geologic context
its geologic context
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以及冰层的命运。
03:48
and the fate of the ice sheets.
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03:50
We actually had a guy from the BBC's
"Frozen Planet" on one of these flights.
"Frozen Planet" on one of these flights.
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曾经有一个BBC“冰冻地球”节目组的
报道员参与了一次我们的这种飞行，
报道员参与了一次我们的这种飞行，
他录制了数小时的视频，
全都是我们在操作各种按钮。
全都是我们在操作各种按钮。
03:53
And he spent, like, hours
videotaping us turn knobs.
videotaping us turn knobs.
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03:57
(Laughter)
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（观众笑声）
03:59
And I was actually watching the series
years later with my wife,
years later with my wife,
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数年之后我和我太太
一起观看这个系列报道，
一起观看这个系列报道，
当这样的情景出现的时候，
我忍不住惊叹它的壮美。
我忍不住惊叹它的壮美。
04:03
and a scene like this came up,
and I commented on how beautiful it was.
and I commented on how beautiful it was.
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04:07
And she said, "Weren't you
on that flight?"
on that flight?"
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然后我太太说，“你难道不是在
那个飞机上吗？”
那个飞机上吗？”
（观众笑声）
04:09
(Laughter)
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我说，“是的，但是我一直在
盯着一个电脑屏幕。”
盯着一个电脑屏幕。”
04:11
I said, "Yeah, but I was looking
at a computer screen."
at a computer screen."
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（观众笑声）
04:14
(Laughter)
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所以当你想到这种类型的
实地考察的时候，
实地考察的时候，
04:15
So when you think
about this type of fieldwork,
about this type of fieldwork,
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不要想着这样的景象。
04:17
don't think about images like this.
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你的脑海中应该出现这样的画面。
04:19
Think about images like this.
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（观众笑声）
04:21
(Laughter)
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这是一个雷达测绘图，
展现了冰层的垂直信息，
展现了冰层的垂直信息，
04:22
This is a radargram, which is
a vertical profile through the ice sheet,
a vertical profile through the ice sheet,
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04:25
kind of like a slice of cake.
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就像是一块蛋糕的截面。
04:27
The bright layer on the top
is the surface of the ice sheet,
is the surface of the ice sheet,
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顶部比较亮的那一层
是冰层的表面，
是冰层的表面，
04:30
the bright layer on the bottom
is the bedrock of the continent itself,
is the bedrock of the continent itself,
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底部比较亮的那一层
是大陆的基岩，
是大陆的基岩，
04:33
and the layers in between
are kind of like tree rings,
are kind of like tree rings,
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中间像树的年轮一样
一层一层的，
一层一层的，
里面包含着有关于冰层
历史的信息。
历史的信息。
04:36
in that they contain information
about the history of the ice sheet.
about the history of the ice sheet.
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04:39
And it's amazing
that this works this well.
that this works this well.
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令人惊喜的是，这个方法十分有效。
04:42
The ground-penetrating
radars that are used
radars that are used
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那些被用在调查道路
基础设施或探测地雷的探地雷达
04:44
to investigate infrastructures of roads
or detect land mines
or detect land mines
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很难穿透至
地球以下的数米的位置。
地球以下的数米的位置。
04:47
struggle to get through
a few meters of earth.
a few meters of earth.
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这里我们可以投过冰层
观察三公里以下的信息。
观察三公里以下的信息。
04:49
And here we're peering
through three kilometers of ice.
through three kilometers of ice.
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这里有着复杂的
有趣的电磁方面的原因，
有趣的电磁方面的原因，
04:52
And there are sophisticated, interesting,
electromagnetic reasons for that,
electromagnetic reasons for that,
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但是就现在来说，冰层基本上
对于雷达而言是完美的观测目标，
对于雷达而言是完美的观测目标，
04:56
but let's say for now that ice
is basically the perfect target for radar,
is basically the perfect target for radar,
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05:00
and radar is basically
the perfect tool to study ice sheets.
the perfect tool to study ice sheets.
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而雷达基本上是
研究冰层的完美工具。
研究冰层的完美工具。
05:04
These are the flight lines
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这些是在南极上空收集的
大部分现代机载雷达探测资料的
05:05
of most of the modern airborne
radar-sounding profiles
radar-sounding profiles
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飞行线。
05:09
collected over Antarctica.
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这是几十年来通过
由不同国家组成的团队
由不同国家组成的团队
05:10
This is the result
of heroic efforts over decades
of heroic efforts over decades
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和国际合作实现的
英雄般努力的结果。
英雄般努力的结果。
05:13
by teams from a variety of countries
and international collaborations.
and international collaborations.
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05:17
And when you put those together,
you get an image like this,
you get an image like this,
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当你把它们放在一起的时候，
就得到了像这样的图像，
就得到了像这样的图像，
那是南极大陆的真实图像，
05:20
which is what the continent
of Antarctica would look like
of Antarctica would look like
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在顶部没有冰层覆盖下的样貌。
05:23
without all the ice on top.
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05:25
And you can really see the diversity
of the continent in an image like this.
of the continent in an image like this.
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你真的可以在像这样的图片中
看到大陆的多样性。
看到大陆的多样性。
红色的特征代表着火山或是山川；
05:30
The red features
are volcanoes or mountains;
are volcanoes or mountains;
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蓝色的区域是开放的海洋，
05:32
the areas that are blue
would be open ocean
would be open ocean
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如果冰层被移掉的话。
05:35
if the ice sheet was removed.
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这就是那种巨大的空间规模。
05:36
This is that giant spatial scale.
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05:39
However, all of this
that took decades to produce
that took decades to produce
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然而，所有这些
花费了几十年时间打造的
花费了几十年时间打造的
仅仅是表层的一个快照。
05:42
is just one snapshot of the subsurface.
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05:46
It does not give us any indication
of how the ice sheet is changing in time.
of how the ice sheet is changing in time.
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它没有给我们任何关于冰层是如何
随着时间改变的暗示。
随着时间改变的暗示。
05:51
Now, we're working on that,
because it turns out
because it turns out
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目前，我们正致力于
这个方向的研究，因为我们发现
这个方向的研究，因为我们发现
所收集的第一个对南极的雷达观测
05:53
that the very first radar observations
of Antarctica were collected
of Antarctica were collected
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使用了35毫米的光学胶片。
05:57
using 35 millimeter optical film.
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06:00
And there were thousands
of reels of this film
of reels of this film
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在剑桥大学史考特极地研究中心的
档案博物馆里还存留着
06:02
in the archives of the museum
of the Scott Polar Research Institute
of the Scott Polar Research Institute
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上千个这套胶片的卷轴。
06:05
at the University of Cambridge.
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去年夏天，我使用了一个
很先进的用来电子化和
很先进的用来电子化和
06:07
So last summer, I took
a state-of-the-art film scanner
a state-of-the-art film scanner
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数位修复好莱坞电影的胶片扫描仪，
06:09
that was developed for digitizing
Hollywood films and remastering them,
Hollywood films and remastering them,
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并和两位艺术历史学家一起，
06:13
and two art historians,
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去了英格兰，戴上手套，
06:14
and we went over to England,
put on some gloves
put on some gloves
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数字化和备份了
那套胶片的所有信息。
那套胶片的所有信息。
06:16
and archived and digitized
all of that film.
all of that film.
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06:19
So that produced two million
high-resolution images
high-resolution images
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我们得到了两百万个
高清的图像，
高清的图像，
我的团队现在正在
分析和处理这些图像，
分析和处理这些图像，
06:22
that my group is now working
on analyzing and processing
on analyzing and processing
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06:26
for comparing with contemporary
conditions in the ice sheet.
conditions in the ice sheet.
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进而与冰层的现状进行比较。
实际上，那个扫描仪——
我是从一个
我是从一个
06:29
And, actually, that scanner --
I found out about it
I found out about it
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在美国电影艺术与科学学会
工作的档案师那里发现的。
工作的档案师那里发现的。
06:31
from an archivist at the Academy
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
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所以，在这里我要感谢电影学会——
06:35
So I'd like to thank the Academy --
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（观众笑声）
06:37
(Laughter)
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06:40
for making this possible.
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让这成为了可能
（模仿奥斯卡获奖感言）。
（模仿奥斯卡获奖感言）。
06:41
(Laughter)
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（观众笑声）
06:42
And as amazing as it is
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令人惊喜的是，
我们可以看到50年前
在冰层下所发生的一切，
在冰层下所发生的一切，
06:44
that we can look at what was happening
under the ice sheet 50 years ago,
under the ice sheet 50 years ago,
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虽然这仍然只是另一个快照。
06:47
this is still just one more snapshot.
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它仍然没有给我们带来
06:50
It doesn't give us observations
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年度或季度层面
在多样性上的观察结果，
在多样性上的观察结果，
06:52
of the variation at the annual
or seasonal scale,
or seasonal scale,
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而这些信息非常重要。
06:55
that we know matters.
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06:57
There's some progress here, too.
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不过也有一些进展。
最近有一些地面雷达系统
可以停留在一点。
可以停留在一点。
06:59
There are these recent ground-based
radar systems that stay in one spot.
radar systems that stay in one spot.
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你将这些雷达放在冰层上，
07:03
So you take these radars
and put them on the ice sheet
and put them on the ice sheet
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然后埋下一堆车载电池。
07:05
and you bury a cache of car batteries.
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让它们在那里
一次性待上数月甚至数年，
一次性待上数月甚至数年，
07:07
And you leave them out there
for months or years at a time,
for months or years at a time,
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然后隔几分钟，或者几个小时
07:10
and they send a pulse down
into the ice sheet
into the ice sheet
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就送一个脉冲到冰层内部。
07:12
every so many minutes or hours.
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这样你就获得了一些
在时间上连续的观察——
在时间上连续的观察——
07:14
So this gives you
continuous observation in time --
continuous observation in time --
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07:16
but at one spot.
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但只是针对一个点。
07:18
So if you compare that imaging to the 2-D
pictures provided by the airplane,
pictures provided by the airplane,
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如果你将那张图片和
由飞机提供的2D图片相比较，
由飞机提供的2D图片相比较，
这只是一条垂直的线。
07:22
this is just one vertical line.
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07:25
And this is pretty much
where we are as a field right now.
where we are as a field right now.
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这就是我们现在在该
领域中所取得的进展。
领域中所取得的进展。
我们可以在好的空间覆盖
07:28
We can choose between
good spatial coverage
good spatial coverage
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附加机载雷达探测，
07:31
with airborne radar sounding
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和基于某一点的好的时间覆盖
附加地面雷达探测之间做出选择，
附加地面雷达探测之间做出选择，
07:32
and good temporal coverage in one spot
with ground-based sounding.
with ground-based sounding.
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但这两个方法都不能
给我们想要的结果：
给我们想要的结果：
07:36
But neither gives us what we really want:
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07:38
both at the same time.
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两者在同时都没有。
07:40
And if we're going to do that,
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如果我们要实现目标，
就需要用全新的方法去观察冰层。
07:42
we're going to need totally new ways
of observing the ice sheet.
of observing the ice sheet.
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比较理想的情况下，这些方法
应该是非常低成本的，
应该是非常低成本的，
07:45
And ideally, those should be
extremely low-cost
extremely low-cost
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让我们得以从很多的传感器上
获得大量的测量数据。
获得大量的测量数据。
07:47
so that we can take lots
of measurements from lots of sensors.
of measurements from lots of sensors.
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07:51
Well, for existing radar systems,
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不过，对于现存的雷达系统来说，
最大的成本驱动
是能够让雷达系统自己
是能够让雷达系统自己
07:54
the biggest driver of cost
is the power required
is the power required
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发送雷达信号所需要的动力。
07:57
to transmit the radar signal itself.
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08:00
So it’d be great if we were able
to use existing radio systems
to use existing radio systems
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所以如果我们能够利用
现有的无线电系统，
现有的无线电系统，
或在环境中的无线电信号，
那就再好不过了。
那就再好不过了。
08:03
or radio signals
that are in the environment.
that are in the environment.
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08:06
And fortunately, the entire field
of radio astronomy
of radio astronomy
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幸运的是，整个
无线电天文领域都
无线电天文领域都
建立在天空中有很强的
无线电信号这一事实基础之上，
无线电信号这一事实基础之上，
08:09
is built on the fact that there
are bright radio signals in the sky.
are bright radio signals in the sky.
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而最强烈最耀眼的那个
就是我们的太阳。
就是我们的太阳。
08:12
And a really bright one is our sun.
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实际上，我的团队正在做的
最令人激动的事情之一
最令人激动的事情之一
08:15
So, actually, one of the most exciting
things my group is doing right now
things my group is doing right now
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就是试图使用来自太阳的
无线电发射送作为雷达信号的一种。
无线电发射送作为雷达信号的一种。
08:18
is trying to use the radio emissions
from the sun as a type of radar signal.
from the sun as a type of radar signal.
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这是我们在大苏尔地区进行的
实地测试中的一次。
实地测试中的一次。
08:22
This is one of our field tests at Big Sur.
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那个金字形神塔一样的PVC管道是由
我实验室的一些本科生搭建的天线架。
我实验室的一些本科生搭建的天线架。
08:24
That PVC pipe ziggurat is an antenna stand
some undergrads in my lab built.
some undergrads in my lab built.
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08:29
And the idea here
is that we stay out at Big Sur,
is that we stay out at Big Sur,
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我们的策略是，在大苏尔的户外
通过无线电频率观看日落，
08:32
and we watch the sunset
in radio frequencies,
in radio frequencies,
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并尝试着探测太阳在
海平面落下的反射。
海平面落下的反射。
08:34
and we try and detect the reflection
of the sun off the surface of the ocean.
of the sun off the surface of the ocean.
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08:39
Now, I know you're thinking,
"There are no glaciers at Big Sur."
"There are no glaciers at Big Sur."
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现在，我知道你们在想
“大苏尔没有冰川啊！”
“大苏尔没有冰川啊！”
（观众笑声）
08:43
(Laughter)
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没错。
08:44
And that's true.
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（观众笑声）
08:45
(Laughter)
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08:46
But it turns out that detecting
the reflection of the sun
the reflection of the sun
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但我们后来发现探测太阳
在海洋平面落下时的反射，
08:50
off the surface of the ocean
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与探测一块冰层底部的反射
08:52
and detecting the reflection
off the bottom of an ice sheet
off the bottom of an ice sheet
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在地理学上极度地相似。
08:54
are extremely geophysically similar.
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如果这个方法奏效的话，
08:56
And if this works,
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我们应该能够在南极
运用同样的测量原理。
运用同样的测量原理。
08:57
we should be able to apply the same
measurement principle in Antarctica.
measurement principle in Antarctica.
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而且这个想法并不是
看起来的那样遥不可及。
看起来的那样遥不可及。
09:01
And this is not
as far-fetched as it seems.
as far-fetched as it seems.
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地震行业经历了一个
相似的技术上的发展，
相似的技术上的发展，
09:03
The seismic industry has gone through
a similar technique-development exercise,
a similar technique-development exercise,
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使他们能够从以引爆炸药
作为一种来源，
作为一种来源，
09:07
where they were able to move
from detonating dynamite as a source,
from detonating dynamite as a source,
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过渡到利用周围环境的地震噪音。
09:10
to using ambient seismic noise
in the environment.
in the environment.
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防御性雷达在一直以来都使用
电视信号以及无线电信号，
电视信号以及无线电信号，
09:12
And defense radars use TV signals
and radio signals all the time,
and radio signals all the time,
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所以它们不用发送雷达信号
09:16
so they don't have to transmit
a signal of radar
a signal of radar
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09:19
and give away their position.
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来标记它们的位置。
我的意思是，
这也许真的是个好办法。
这也许真的是个好办法。
09:21
So what I'm saying is,
this might really work.
this might really work.
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09:23
And if it does, we're going to need
extremely low-cost sensors
extremely low-cost sensors
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如果事实如此，我们将会
需要极低成本的传感器，
需要极低成本的传感器，
然后可以在冰层上调配上百个
以致上千个这样的传感器
以致上千个这样的传感器
09:27
so we can deploy networks of hundreds
or thousands of these on an ice sheet
or thousands of these on an ice sheet
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去做成像。
09:30
to do imaging.
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那正是科技开始真正联合起来
帮助我们的开始。
帮助我们的开始。
09:31
And that's where the technological stars
have really aligned to help us.
have really aligned to help us.
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这些我所提及的早期的雷达系统
09:35
Those earlier radar systems I talked about
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是有经验的工程师利用国有设施
及昂贵的专业设备
及昂贵的专业设备
09:37
were developed by experienced
engineers over the course of years
engineers over the course of years
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经历了数年
09:41
at national facilities
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才逐渐发展起来的。
09:43
with expensive specialized equipment.
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09:45
But the recent developments
in software-defined radio,
in software-defined radio,
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但最近在软件无线电的发展中，
快速制造和制造运动
09:48
rapid fabrication and the maker movement,
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使得那些在我的实验室
09:50
make it so that it's possible
for a team of teenagers
for a team of teenagers
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工作了数月的青少年
建立一个雷达原型
建立一个雷达原型
09:53
working in my lab over the course
of a handful of months
of a handful of months
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成为了可能。
09:56
to build a prototype radar.
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09:58
OK, they're not any teenagers,
they’re Stanford undergrads,
they’re Stanford undergrads,
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好吧，他们并不是普通的青少年，
而是斯坦福的大学生，
而是斯坦福的大学生，
但是我想说的是——
10:00
but the point holds --
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10:02
(Laughter)
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（观众笑声）
10:03
that these enabling technologies
are letting us break down the barrier
are letting us break down the barrier
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这些技术使我们能够冲破
建立仪器的工程师
和使用它们的科学家之间的障碍。
和使用它们的科学家之间的障碍。
10:07
between engineers who build instruments
and scientists that use them.
and scientists that use them.
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10:11
And by teaching engineering students
to think like earth scientists
to think like earth scientists
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通过教授工程专业的学生
去像地球科学家一样思考，
去像地球科学家一样思考，
以及可以像工程师一样思考的
地球科学系的学生，
地球科学系的学生，
10:15
and earth-science students
who can think like engineers,
who can think like engineers,
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我的实验室正在建立一个
可以为每一个现存的问题
可以为每一个现存的问题
10:18
my lab is building an environment in which
we can build custom radar sensors
we can build custom radar sensors
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定制雷达传感器的环境，
10:22
for each problem at hand,
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10:24
that are optimized for low cost
and high performance
and high performance
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这些传感器会针对不同的问题进行
低成本和高性能的优化。
10:27
for that problem.
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那将完全改变
我们观察冰层的方式。
我们观察冰层的方式。
10:29
And that's going to totally change
the way we observe ice sheets.
the way we observe ice sheets.
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10:32
Look, the sea level problem and the role
of the cryosphere in sea level rise
of the cryosphere in sea level rise
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总之，海平面问题和冰雪圈
在海平面上升问题中
在海平面上升问题中
扮演着极其重要的角色，
10:38
is extremely important
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10:39
and will affect the entire world.
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而且会影响到整个世界。
10:41
But that is not why I work on it.
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但还那不是我致力于
这项研究的原因。
这项研究的原因。
10:44
I work on it for the opportunity
to teach and mentor
to teach and mentor
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我致力于教授和引导
极其聪慧的学生，
10:47
extremely brilliant students,
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10:49
because I deeply believe
that teams of hypertalented,
that teams of hypertalented,
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因为我深信由智慧过人，
充满能量和极其富有热情的
年轻人组成的团队
年轻人组成的团队
10:52
hyperdriven, hyperpassionate young people
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可以解决世界所面对的
大部分挑战，
大部分挑战，
10:55
can solve most of the challenges
facing the world,
facing the world,
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10:58
and that providing the observations
required to estimate sea level rise
required to estimate sea level rise
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而刚刚讲到的为预测
海平面上升所提供的观测技术，
海平面上升所提供的观测技术，
只是他们可以解决的
许多问题中的一个。
许多问题中的一个。
11:02
is just one of the many such problems
they can and will solve.
they can and will solve.
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11:06
Thank you.
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谢谢大家。
11:07
(Applause)
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（观众掌声）
Translated by Chen Zou
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dustin Schroeder - Radio glaciologistDustin Schroeder develops and uses geophysical radar to study Antarctica, Greenland and the icy moons of Jupiter.
Why you should listen
Dustin Schroeder draws on techniques and approaches from defense technologies, telecommunication, resource exploration and radio astronomy to understand the evolution and stability of ice sheets and their contributions to sea level rise. He is an assistant professor of geophysics and (by courtesy) of electrical engineering at Stanford University where he is also an affiliate of the Woods Institute for the Environment. He has participated in three Antarctic field seasons with the ICECAP project and NASA’s Operation Ice Bridge.
Schroeder is a Science Team Member on the Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) instrument on NASA's Europa Clipper Mission and the Mini-RF instrument on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). He is also the Chair of the Earth and Space Sciences Committee for the National Science Olympiad.
Dustin Schroeder | Speaker | TED.com