A low, spaceship-like vessel will wind its way up the U.S. Atlantic coast from New York to Boston and onward this week, part of a solar-powered journey along the Gulf Stream that will end in Bergen, Norway. The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, with its prominent span of photovoltaic panels, obviously aims to be a bellwether for renewable energy’s potential, and it has broken records as a solar boat. Now the striking catamaran has a new role, ferrying scientists who hope to capture new data about the ocean that will help deepen our understanding of climate change and weather.

PlanetSolar docked in New York City Monday, eking a passage into its narrow marina spot in lower Manhattan and overcoming an unexpected snag