While snorkeling off the coast of southern California last Sunday (October 13, 2013), Jasmine Santana made what some are now calling “the discovery of a lifetime.” It was the silvery body of a dead, serpent-like oarfish measuring 18 feet (5.4 meters) in length. Santana, who is an instructor at the Catalina Island Marine Institute, dragged the carcass as far as she could toward shore, and needed more than 15 helpers to pull the oarfish to shore. Experts say these oarfish may have been responsible for ancient legends of sea serpents. The video below has more.
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Deborah Byrd
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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.