Scientist reveals secrets of Titanic discovery

The RMS Titanic sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912. Because the wreck was in such deep water and the last reported position of the ship wasn’t exact, its location was a mystery for 73 years.

The “detective” who solved this mystery was scientist Dr. Robert Ballard and his team from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Listen in on parts of BL‘s interview with Ballard, a former Life Scout, who discovered the Titanic wreck in 1985. Then read more about the story in the April 2012 issue of Boys’ Life magazine.

What he learned from Scouting

Failed techniques for finding the Titanic

The top-secret mission connected to the Titanic discovery

Figuring out a new – and successful – search technique

Using this technique to search for ancient shipwrecks

The similarity between this technique and tracking

Returning to the Titanic 20 years later

Using robots with the JASON Project

Subjects that the JASON Project covers

Who is involved with the JASON Project

Why a career in science is so cool

How he became interested in science