@mbari_news: Our #MBARIFromTheVault series comes to a close with an animal that needs no introduction. MBARI researchers last encountered the giant phantom jelly (Stygiomedusa gigantea) in November 2021 during a dive in Monterey Bay. While exploring the midnight zone, this ghostly giant emerged from the darkness. The bell of this deep-sea denizen reaches more than one meter (3.3 feet) across and trails four ribbon-like oral (or mouth) arms that can grow more than 10 meters (33 feet) long. Research Technician Megan Bassett, was on the R/V Western Flyer when the remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts spotted this Stygiomedusa at a depth of 990 meters (3,200 feet). “It’s hard for this beautiful giant not to be a favorite! The giant phantom jelly is a rare sight—MBARI has only seen it nine times in more than 30 years of deep-sea exploration. I happened to be in the control room during the last sighting and spotted it in the distance. We spent the next hour or so filming and captured some amazing footage.” #giantphantomjelly #phantomjellyfish #Deepsea #DeepOcean #MontereyBay #fypage

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Monday 27 May 2024 04:18:18 GMT