Even planet Earth has a few marvels that rival imaginary visions of alien life. The giant sea whorl of 2020 is one of them. This large siphonophore, a gelatinous creature similar to a jellyfish, wowed ocean scientists exploring the deep sea off the coast of Western Australia. A team of researchers from institutes including the Western Australia Museum, the Schmidt Ocean Institute and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography discovered the Apolemia siphonophore while operating a remotely operated vehicle, named SuBastian. From afar, the creature looked like silly string strung in a massive spiraled pattern. Though it was difficult to determine the exact length of the siphonophore, scientists estimated its outer ring was about 154 feet long. According to the researchers who discovered it, it is likely the longest animal ever recorded.
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