Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (or NOAAOpens in a new tab) recently put out a report describing a dive into an underwater canyon. Like one we’d expect to come from a trip to EnceladusOpens in a new tab, the report described different weird ocean creatures. One aquatic animal spotted was a jellyfish that looks like a mix between a jumbo blood cell and an umbrella. The throbbing, bobbing thing may even be a whole new species of jellyfish.
The NOAA released the dive report in late July of this year.Opens in a new tab In it, they sum up a look at the water column of the underwater canyon. The water column is a conceptOpens in a new tab used in oceanography to describe the characteristics of seawater at different depths of a defined geographical point. The explorers took a look at this canyon from the ocean’s surface down to a depth of 3,500 feet.
The remotely operated vehicle, Deep DiscovererOpens in a new tab, eyed more than 650 individual creatures during the dive. This included an array of ctenophores, siphonophores, arrow worms, and larvaceans. All weird-sounding names to be sure, because they’re all bizarre ocean aliens. Especially the siphonophores, such as this translucent tube of wiggly zooidsOpens in a new tab. (Zooids are the weirdest!)
Deep Discoverer saw the scarlet jellyfish at around 3,000 feet below the ocean’s surface. NOAA explorers are certain the jellyfish is a member of the genus Poralia. However, they say they still can’t identify its species. This leads them to consider whether it is a new species of jellyfish altogether. Regardless, the crimson animal is a glorious, undulating flower petal of the deep. One that looks freakin’ giant even though its bell is likely only around four inches in diameter.
After the mysterious Poralia, the second-most intriguing animal from this dive was the helmet jellyfish. This weirdo alien, shown in the video above, would’ve surely taken the cake for the oddest oddballOpens in a new tab had scientists not already cataloged it. Just look at the way the oculus-looking thing moves. But it better be careful… We know sea creatures love to lure things into trapsOpens in a new tab.
