Why Does the Sea Sometimes Glow at Night?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does the sea sometimes glow at night?

The Big Idea

Some tiny plankton and other sea creatures can make their own light! It happens through chemistry inside their bodies, and it is called bioluminescence. When the water is stirred, they flash a blue-green glow.

Glowing Plankton Float

Step one: glowing plankton float. Some plankton can make light, and they drift in the dark water. In the daytime you cannot see their glow.

The Water Is Stirred

Step two: the water is stirred. A splash, a paddle, or a wave bumps the plankton. That bump is the signal to start glowing.

Blue Light Shows

Step three: a chemical flash fires, and blue light shows. The plankton mix chemicals inside their bodies to make a quick flash of light. The glow fades within moments, until the next splash!

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a glowing wave! The plankton are the tiny living sparkles. A splash is what bumps them and starts the glow. And the blue sparkle is the light they make. Some of the ocean's night-lights are alive!

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Making light with chemistry inside a living body is called bioluminescence. Most bioluminescence in the ocean is blue-green, because blue light travels well in water. The flash can startle a hunter, or even hide a trail in the dark. Lights on shore can hide the show, so dim your flashlight. Never pour chemicals in the water.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Let's think about glow. Why would plankton flash when they get bumped? Why is the glow often blue-green? On a dark night, ask a grown-up to take you to watch real water. Never pour chemicals into water to fake a glow.

Outro

Some of the ocean's night-lights are alive. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!