Is that a UFO or a jellyfish? Researchers recently discovered a glowing jellyfish in the depths of the ocean near the Mariana Trench.
The UFO-like jellyfish does not have a name, but likely belongs to the genus Crossota, NOAA said in a statement. Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration used a remotely operated vehicle to film the strange jellyfish almost 2.3 miles below the ocean’s surface.
In the video, taken April 24, the jellyfish swims through the dark waters of the ocean, likely looking for prey, according to NOAA.
“You'll see that the long tentacles are even and extended outward, and the bell is motionless,” NOAA said. “This suggests an ambush predation mode. Within the bell, the radial canals in red are connecting points for what looks like the gonads in bright yellow.”
The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean and spans a little over 1500 miles across the ocean floor.
Researchers spotted the jellyfish during a dive aboard NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer.
Follow @MaryBowerman on Twitter.
