Regina Barber

So today on the show, maritime lore deconstructed. How a database of sailor stories and satellite images could help scientists better understand an enduring mystery of the sea. I'm Regina Barber. You're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

So today on the show, maritime lore deconstructed. How a database of sailor stories and satellite images could help scientists better understand an enduring mystery of the sea. I'm Regina Barber. You're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

Justin, a lot of the stories, like the one we heard at the top of the episode here, are from this database that you compiled as part of your PhD. But this is not the first time a Milky Sea database has been made. Many have been made over the last couple centuries, right?

Justin, a lot of the stories, like the one we heard at the top of the episode here, are from this database that you compiled as part of your PhD. But this is not the first time a Milky Sea database has been made. Many have been made over the last couple centuries, right?

Justin, a lot of the stories, like the one we heard at the top of the episode here, are from this database that you compiled as part of your PhD. But this is not the first time a Milky Sea database has been made. Many have been made over the last couple centuries, right?

At sea?

At sea?

At sea?

We say that there's the first scientific sample in 1985, but people did take samples in these historic references. So somebody might have drank it?

We say that there's the first scientific sample in 1985, but people did take samples in these historic references. So somebody might have drank it?

We say that there's the first scientific sample in 1985, but people did take samples in these historic references. So somebody might have drank it?

So, like, this bacteria, Vibiro harveyi, right? And it's, like you said, like, we think it causes these other things. It's been pretty well studied. Stephen, can you tell me more about this bacteria and why we think it's the cause of the Milky Seas?

So, like, this bacteria, Vibiro harveyi, right? And it's, like you said, like, we think it causes these other things. It's been pretty well studied. Stephen, can you tell me more about this bacteria and why we think it's the cause of the Milky Seas?

So, like, this bacteria, Vibiro harveyi, right? And it's, like you said, like, we think it causes these other things. It's been pretty well studied. Stephen, can you tell me more about this bacteria and why we think it's the cause of the Milky Seas?

Oh, interesting.

Oh, interesting.

Oh, interesting.

Justin, what's so special about this bacteria? Like what does this bacteria, how does it glow and how is that different from the bioluminescence we like have seen in like fireflies or other marine bioluminescence?

Justin, what's so special about this bacteria? Like what does this bacteria, how does it glow and how is that different from the bioluminescence we like have seen in like fireflies or other marine bioluminescence?

Justin, what's so special about this bacteria? Like what does this bacteria, how does it glow and how is that different from the bioluminescence we like have seen in like fireflies or other marine bioluminescence?