A new research reveals that scientists have been able to get a real close look at the dancing corals using a new underwater microscope. The research was published in the journal Nature Communications on July 12, 2016. Researchers revealed the unparalleled potential of the Benthic Underwater Microscope (BUM) in the exploration of the underwater world.
The device is fitted with a camera of extremely high resolution, along with an underwater computer that entails a diver interface. The microscope ensures prompt exposure images rough bright LED lights. The BUM also supports a bendable and tunable lens, which enables researchers to take a look at the structures that are present underwater.
“To understand the evolution of the dynamic processes taking place in the ocean, we need to observe them at the appropriate scale”, said Jules Jaffe, the led author of the study. The first form of underwater life, which scientists chose for observation, was coral. These superlative invertebrates are not actually stationary as they appear to be.
Coral are formed by small creatures known as polyps that resemble jellyfish turned upside down and fastened with the lower sides of coral reefs. Coral reefs are created when calcium carbonate is produced by millions of polyps, which also endow reefs with nutrients and color. The process of the small little creatures softly swinging, eating and actually dancing was observed by the scientists using this new device, which allowed them to view these creatures from a distance of just two inches.