Imagine wandering through a dark, silent forest at midnight, when suddenly, the ground beneath your feet begins to shimmer ...

Bioluminescence, the natural phenomenon where living organisms emit light, has captivated scientists and designers alike.

These events, which can last for months on end, stretch as wide as 100,000 square kilometers (about 39,000 square miles), and ...

While scientists do not know exactly why this rare glow occurs, it is likely a byproduct of high concentrations of microscopic bioluminescent bacteria called Vibrio harveyi, according to the study.

Scientists are one step closer to understanding bioluminescent seas thanks to a new database spanning centuries.