A couple years ago i went out with my dads friends and him and it was night-time to the beach. When we went there, the water glowed like a glow-in-the-dark star you put on your childs ceiling. Im trying to find out what this is called so i can find out when the next one comes in, anyone help? =)
Thanks!
2007-07-17 13:13:20 · 3 answers · asked by Zonnxy 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
It's called "bioluminescence" and you can find more about it here http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/~biolum/ . Sometimes it's more prominent when there is something called a "red tide" occurs. That's when there is an explosion of a type of algae in the water called dinoflagellates. If you hear about a red tide in your area that might be the time to head to the beach at night.
2007-07-17 13:27:19 · answer #1 · answered by pegminer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its the result of biolumiscence in phytoplankton. A couple of fancy words for tiny organisms (plankton) in the ocean that glow at certain times (for a number of not-yet completely understood reasons).
During the day its not that noticeable, the plankton is a reddish-brown. But at night each tiny creature glows when touched by a predator or just when they are disturbed. One creature doesn't give off much light, but the millions in the water at the time would light up quite a bit.
This is not a predictable event, making it all the more wonderful when you happen to see it.
2007-07-17 20:22:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hello!
scientists called it "milky sea" it may coused by colony of bioluminescent bacteria.
It also called "Phosfluorescent"
*it happens once or twice a year, but i cant tell when or where.
2007-07-19 12:42:41 · answer #3 · answered by armando c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋