With the "large triangle" portion of the experiment completed, the ARM, Mirai, and Ron Brown crews settled into the "small triangle" configuration. Although the JAMSTEC ship Mirai departed the Nauru area on July 5, finished with its part in the experiment, scientists from the NOAA ship Ron Brown and the Nauru site continue operations.

DOE’s ARM/Nauru Site
On the night of June 30, the Ron Brown and the Mirai moved into position near the island of Nauru for the "small triangle" pattern. During this phase, the Cessna flew around the small triangle at various levels, including passes over the island to characterize variability in albedo. When the flights were completed, a one-day intercomparison was made between the Cessna radiometers and the Atmospheric Radiation and Cloud Station (ARCS2) on the island. The Cessna is owned by the University of Flinders.

On July 4, The Ron Brown parked just offshore of the island, and the site scientists were invited aboard for a July 4th celebration. The next day representatives from the Ron Brown and the Nauruan government were given tours of the site.

NOAA’s Ronald H. Brown
The Ron Brown arrived at its "small triangle" location at about 0915 local time, 2115 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), on June 30. Nauru Island was clearly visible about 10 miles away, rising 200 feet from the sea. On July 2, the scientists viewed 7 overflights by the Cessna--7 circumnavigations of the small triangle--at various altitudes up to 1.4 km. A New Zealand film crew arrived that day by RHIB (small boat).

At 0930 local time on July 3, the Ron Brown left its Nauru station and steamed to the Mirai for intercomparisons, reaching it at about 1145. The ship left Mirai at 1730, bound for its former location 12 nm from Nauru. The ship's crew and scientists, along with Nauru site scientists and a New Zealand film crew, enjoyed a July 4th celebration and cookout on the Ron Brown just off Nauru.

JAMSTEC Mirai
On June 30, the Mirai finished the "large triangle" portion of the Nauru99 campaign. They began to move to their position for the "small triangle" configuration. The film crew from New Zealand left the ship on July 2, even continuing to film from the departing boat. The next day, scientists and crew from the Mirai and the Ron Brown decided to meet to spend time together and view the two, very new earth-science ships. Everyone visited and exchanged information.

With all scheduled observations completed and most of the instruments packed up, the crew and scientists had a BBQ party as a way of remembering this observation cruise. The Mirai departed the Nauru99 observation area at midnight and by July 5 was on its way to Majuro, Marshall Islands, to unload its U.S. instruments. From there, the Mirai returns to Tsuruga, Fukui Pref, Japan.

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