Scientists managed to photograph a giant phantom jellyfish

The Norwegian expeditionary group Viking captured the rare invertebrate Stygiomedusa gigantea while exploring in Antarctic waters. It is also called ghost jellyfish or phantom jellyfish. In the journal Polar Research, scientists notethat it was possible to make unique shots thanks to new personal underwater vehicles.

“We have demonstrated that personal underwater vehicles, which are now increasingly used in scientific expeditions, open up new opportunities for biological research in the polar regions,” the authors note. research.

The phantom jellyfish is rarely seen, but is believed to be widespread throughout the world, with the exception of the Arctic Ocean. The invertebrate, as a rule, reaches a length of 10 meters and feeds on plankton, sometimes small fish.

The giant jellyfish usually hides at depths of up to 6,665 meters. Since 1910, when it was first discovered, scientists have come across it only 126 times.