“Life That Glows” by Sir David Attenborough on BBC explores the mystifying realm of organisms with bioluminescent abilities. It depicts how organisms with luminescent properties, such as fireflies, glow worms, mushrooms, fish, squid, and plankton, go about their daily lives. The purpose of this behaviour varies depending on the species. Sometimes it is used to attract mates, other times to protect them from predators, and in yet other cases biologists are baffled. What a great idea.
Dolphins swimming in a sea of glowing plankton is the most amazing sight in a documentary full of stunning graphics. It appears that the dolphins are glowing in the dark because of the glowing plankton that surrounds them. Real-life Fantasia is like a light display at Disneyland. It’s breathtaking in its beauty.
According to BBC Two,
Is there a scientific explanation for this phenomenon? Until now, we have only been able to marvel at the beauty and mystery of living lights, but now we can begin to unveil the wonderful reality. It’s taken three major technological advances to get here this far, however. One of the most notable changes is the increase in sensitivity of colour cameras, which are now nearly 4,000 times more sensitive than they were a decade ago. As a result of the cameras’ incredible sensitivity, we’ve discovered things we weren’t aware of until now. A new generation of submersibles and robotics has helped scientists explore the depths of the open ocean. To round things up, Ammonite Films has created a line of cameras that can capture life’s tiniest glimmers of brilliance.
