the tao/triton array has been the dominant source of upper ocean temperature data near the equator over the past 25 years. the tao/triton array consists of approximately 70 moorings in the tropical pacific ocean that measure surface meteorological and subsurface oceanic parameters. all data are transmitted to shore in real-time via the argos system of satellites. the moorings include noaa tao moorings in the eastern and central pacific ocean, and japanese triton moorings in the western pacific ocean. the tao/triton moorings measure winds, sea surface temperature, relative humidity, air temperature, and subsurface temperature at 10 depths in the upper 500 m. in addition, five moorings along the equator measure ocean velocity. the tao moorings are serviced by noaa's research ship, the ka'imimoana, which is dedicated to implementing and maintaining the tao project while japan maintains the triton moorings in the western pacific ocean.