The Milky Way above, and the bioluminescent Atlantic ocean below

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A stunning photograph by photographer Fefo Bouvier:
Noctiluca bioluminescence in the Atlantic Ocean at Barra de Valizas, Uruguay. Above, the Milky Way, seen in a gloriously dark sky free of man-made light.

Bioluminescent dinoflagellates are responsible for the electric blue light. Marine organisms may exhibit bioluminescence (cold light) to either attract prey or to discourage predators. This phenomenon occurs occasionally along the Uruguayan coast, but it's rarely captured with such brilliance as is displayed here. Photo taken on June 27, 2014.

"Bioluminescence and Galactic Glow," Earth Science Picture of the Day.

EPOD is a service of NASA's Earth Science Division and the EOS Project Science Office.