The pursuit for the elusive Loch Ness creature, popularly known as Nessie, takes a new turn as the Loch Ness Centre in Scotland reaches out to an unexpected potential ally — NASA.
“We are determined to uncover the secrets of Loch Ness. Our ongoing quest for answers leads us to seek NASA’s expert guidance.” – Aimee Todd, Marketing Manager, Loch Ness Centre
For over nine decades, reports of Nessie sightings have circulated without substantial evidence to validate their authenticity. The first organized surveillance of Loch Ness took place on its 90th anniversary, marking the beginning of the Loch Ness monster hunt, per the Independent.
In an unprecedented move, the Loch Ness Centre has decided to leverage the power of social media to engage Nessie enthusiasts worldwide in reaching out to NASA.
“We are optimistic that NASA’s advanced imaging technology could potentially scan the loch for us. But first, we need to discuss how to bring it here,” explains Aimee Todd when asked how NASA could assist in the search for Nessie.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the first-ever organized surface watch of Loch Ness. The Loch Ness Centre, in collaboration with Loch Ness Exploration (LNE), is planning one of the most extensive searches yet.
In the past, the Centre has recorded over 1,156 alleged sightings of the beast. Last year’s search saw the organization partnering with LNE to conduct a massive search involving hundreds of in-person and virtual volunteers from all over the globe.
The previous mission saw the recording of peculiar underwater noises and several potential Nessie sightings, fueling the hope and determination for the current year’s search, which promises to be the “biggest ever.”
This year, volunteers will monitor the Loch’s 21.78 square mile surface for water breaks indicating Nessie’s presence. The search will also be conducted via boat and using a 60-foot hydrophone to listen for mysterious sounds pinging up from the bottom of the Loch.
For Nessie trackers who cannot physically be at the loch, the Visit Inverness Loch Ness website offers live cameras for remote participation.
In their determination to uncover more about the Loch Ness Monster, the Centre is keen on recruiting experts in addition to the usual monster hunters. The center has reportedly reached out to UK university professors as well.
The Loch Ness Centre is hopeful that NASA and other experts can lend their expertise — and perhaps some legitimacy — to the often-ridiculed search for Nessie.
With the Centre’s ongoing quest for answers and their hope for NASA’s expert guidance, the search for Nessie is set to take an exciting turn this year.
“We are just hoping for their expert guidance to help with our ongoing quest to get answers.” – Aimee Todd, the Loch Ness Centre’s Marketing Manager
