The E/V Nautilus captured some spectacular footage of a Halitrephes maasi, aka fireworks jellyfish, in December 2017:
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Not much is known about fireworks jellyfish, but here’s what the E/V Nautilus crew reported about their encounter with this rarely seen species:
The frilled tentacles of the Halitrephes maasi jelly came into view at 1225m in the Revillagigedo Archipelago off Baja California, Mexico. Radial canals that move nutrients through the jelly's bell form a starburst pattern that reflects the lights of ROV Hercules with bright splashes of yellow and pink--but without our lights this gelatinous beauty drifts unseen in the dark.
Earlier this month, National Geographic tweeted part of the fireworks jellyfish footage with a brief description:
Bonus video: Here’s some highlights footage from the E/V Nautilus expedition in 2019:
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Today’s forecast included another dark and stormy Monday night, but I’ll participate as best I can.