23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
A light in the darkness

I was struck by the beauty of this jellyfish, the Pelagia noctiluca (mauve stinger). It is a deep water species and it is bioluminescent producing short flashes of light which is amazing to observe. I photographed it on a blackwater dive (offshore night dive) when it came within 20 metres of the water surface to feed.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Indonesia
Camera: NIKON Z 8
Copyright: © Mike Eyett