Mystery Ocean Glow Confirmed in Satellite Photos!

Tinuviel · 04-10-2005

The "milk sea" in a composite satellite image, and the region of the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia where it was spotted by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. Credit: Steven Miller, NRL

By Robert Roy Britt
LiveScience Managing Editor
</FONT>posted: 04 October 2005
04:23 pm ET

Mariners have long told of rare nighttime events in which the ocean glows intensely as far as the eye can see in all directions.
Fictionally, such a "milky sea" is encountered by the Nautilus in Jules Verne classic "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."

Scientists don't have a good handle what's going on. But satellite sensors have now provided the first pictures of a milky sea and given new hope to learning more about the elusive events.

The newly released images show a vast region of the Indian Ocean, about the size of Connecticut, glowing three nights in a row. The luminescence was also spotted from a ship in the area.

"The circumstances under which milky seas form is almost entirely unknown," says Steven Miller, a Naval Research Laboratory scientist who led the space-based discovery. "Even the source for the light emission is under debate."

The leading idea

Scientists suspect bioluminescent bacteria are behind the phenomenon. Such creatures produce a continuous glow, in contrast to the brief, bright flashes of light produced by "dinoflagellate" bioluminescent organims that are seen more commonly lighting up ship wakes and breaking waves.

"The problem with the bacteria hypothesis is that an extremely high concentration of bacteria must exist before they begin to produce light," Miller told LiveScience. "But what could possibly support the occurrence of such a large population?"

One idea, put forward by the lone research vessel to ever encounter a milky sea, is that the bacteria are not free-living, but instead are living off some local supporting "substrate."

"This previous excursion reported the presence of bioluminescent bacteria, which were found to be living in association with an algal bloom," Miller explained.

"So, our best working hypothesis is that we are witnessing bioluminescence produced by bacteria that are colonizing some kind of organic material present in the water," he said. "Satellite detection will hopefully allow us to target milky seas with properly equipped research vessels that will then be able to answer all these questions definitively."

The mysterious seas

The event occurred in 1995 and was finally analyzed and reported last week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The mystery highlights how little scientists know about the ocean. Milky seas appear to be most prevalent in the Indian Ocean, where there are many trade routes, and near Indonesia.

"But there could be other areas we simply don't know about yet," Miller said. "In fact, we're already beginning to receive feedback from additional witnesses of milky seas. Some of these accounts occurred in regions we had not thought to look before, and we're currently working to find matches with the satellite data."

(image and article from www.livescience.com)

Intriguing isn't it?! To be honest, I don't like the idea of it being luminescent bacteria though it's probably valid. Much rather it be something supernatural.

yourbestfriend · 04-10-2005

This is alot like these special spyrogyra bacteria, well I think it may be spyrogyra, if anybody can correct me itd be helpful. But back to these bacteria, theres an area called Indian Arm over here, and at night if you go kayaking int he water the water glows a green colour, so its like seeing these flashing lights from the water as you paddle along. its very interesting. Could this be somethign similar?

Melisande · 04-10-2005

That's fascinting, thanks for posting it.
I love stuff like this!

Erin · 04-10-2005

I've never heard of this before? I feel un-smart.

dsq · 04-10-2005

i'm not a microbiologist, so please don't start flaming me saying this and that. this is my opinion on the subject.

the bacteria hypothesis sounds a bit unlikely (as already mentioned in the article about it's validity), but here's my take on why it's unlikely. the milky glow is the size of Connecticut. The ocean itself is dynamic and in constant motion in the form of ocean currents. It seems very unlikely that any substrate the size of a state can just sit and lie in a large body of moving water unmoved for 3 days to allow the bacteria to feed on it and start glowing. it COULD happen i guess...

haruki · 05-10-2005

I think it is aliens.

dsq · 05-10-2005

i guess it could also be fluorescent algae (which was kind of mentioned in the article)...if the water temperature is warm enough and there's enough nutrients in the ocean to support their growth, then they just expand and grow outwards. i *think* algae are able to connect with each other and form one big humongous monolithic organism so that's why they can stay in one place

FAQ	Calendar	Search	Today's Posts	Mark Forums Read	Rules	Links	Mobile	How to Join

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-10-2005	1
Tinuviel V.I.P. Join Date: May 2003 Location: button moon Gender: femme Posts: 5,729	Mystery Ocean Glow Confirmed in Satellite Photos! The "milk sea" in a composite satellite image, and the region of the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia where it was spotted by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. Credit: Steven Miller, NRL By Robert Roy Britt LiveScience Managing Editor </FONT>posted: 04 October 2005 04:23 pm ET Mariners have long told of rare nighttime events in which the ocean glows intensely as far as the eye can see in all directions. Fictionally, such a "milky sea" is encountered by the Nautilus in Jules Verne classic "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Scientists don't have a good handle what's going on. But satellite sensors have now provided the first pictures of a milky sea and given new hope to learning more about the elusive events. The newly released images show a vast region of the Indian Ocean, about the size of Connecticut, glowing three nights in a row. The luminescence was also spotted from a ship in the area. "The circumstances under which milky seas form is almost entirely unknown," says Steven Miller, a Naval Research Laboratory scientist who led the space-based discovery. "Even the source for the light emission is under debate." The leading idea Scientists suspect bioluminescent bacteria are behind the phenomenon. Such creatures produce a continuous glow, in contrast to the brief, bright flashes of light produced by "dinoflagellate" bioluminescent organims that are seen more commonly lighting up ship wakes and breaking waves. "The problem with the bacteria hypothesis is that an extremely high concentration of bacteria must exist before they begin to produce light," Miller told LiveScience. "But what could possibly support the occurrence of such a large population?" One idea, put forward by the lone research vessel to ever encounter a milky sea, is that the bacteria are not free-living, but instead are living off some local supporting "substrate." "This previous excursion reported the presence of bioluminescent bacteria, which were found to be living in association with an algal bloom," Miller explained. "So, our best working hypothesis is that we are witnessing bioluminescence produced by bacteria that are colonizing some kind of organic material present in the water," he said. "Satellite detection will hopefully allow us to target milky seas with properly equipped research vessels that will then be able to answer all these questions definitively." The mysterious seas The event occurred in 1995 and was finally analyzed and reported last week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The mystery highlights how little scientists know about the ocean. Milky seas appear to be most prevalent in the Indian Ocean, where there are many trade routes, and near Indonesia. "But there could be other areas we simply don't know about yet," Miller said. "In fact, we're already beginning to receive feedback from additional witnesses of milky seas. Some of these accounts occurred in regions we had not thought to look before, and we're currently working to find matches with the satellite data." (image and article from www.livescience.com) Intriguing isn't it?! To be honest, I don't like the idea of it being luminescent bacteria though it's probably valid. Much rather it be something supernatural. __________________ secrets in her smile

04-10-2005	2
yourbestfriend princely Join Date: Jul 2004 Gender: homme Posts: 13,403	This is alot like these special spyrogyra bacteria, well I think it may be spyrogyra, if anybody can correct me itd be helpful. But back to these bacteria, theres an area called Indian Arm over here, and at night if you go kayaking int he water the water glows a green colour, so its like seeing these flashing lights from the water as you paddle along. its very interesting. Could this be somethign similar?

04-10-2005	3
Melisande trendsetter Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Paris/Tokyo Gender: femme Posts: 1,275	That's fascinting, thanks for posting it. I love stuff like this!

04-10-2005	4
Erin Iowa Girl at Heart Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Los Angeles Gender: femme Posts: 14,556	I've never heard of this before? I feel un-smart.

04-10-2005	5
dsq backstage pass Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: T0R0NT0 Posts: 806	i'm not a microbiologist, so please don't start flaming me saying this and that. this is my opinion on the subject. the bacteria hypothesis sounds a bit unlikely (as already mentioned in the article about it's validity), but here's my take on why it's unlikely. the milky glow is the size of Connecticut. The ocean itself is dynamic and in constant motion in the form of ocean currents. It seems very unlikely that any substrate the size of a state can just sit and lie in a large body of moving water unmoved for 3 days to allow the bacteria to feed on it and start glowing. it COULD happen i guess...

05-10-2005	6
haruki front row Join Date: Mar 2005 Gender: homme Posts: 217	I think it is aliens.