READ: Loch Ness Monster Hunters Enlist NASA in Epic Quest for Elusive Nessie
In its never-ending quest to find the Loch Ness Monster, Scotland’s Loch Ness Centre is looking skyward instead of under the surface for help in their pursuit of the Loch Ness monster— they're recruiting NASA.
“We’re rallying Nessie fans globally to beam our message straight to NASA via social media,” shared Aimee Todd, the Centre’s marketing guru, as reported by the Independent. She hopes that with a little nudge from the digital cosmos, the space experts will lend their tech to scan the murky waters of Loch Ness.
The Centre's latest brainwave involves leveraging NASA’s high-tech eyes to peek beneath the loch’s surface. “We need to pow-wow with NASA on how to shuttle their gadgets over here,” Todd mentioned, envisioning a partnership that shoots for the stars by bringing space-age tech to ancient Scottish waters.
This high-flying ambition marks the 90th anniversary of Loch Ness’s first organized monster-spotting endeavor. Way back in 1933, Sir Edward Mountain spearheaded an expedition after Aldie Mackay reported spotting a mysterious "water beast" from the comfort of the Drumnadrochit hotel.
Fast forward to today, and the Centre boasts a whopping tally of over 1,156 Nessie sightings. Just last year, they teamed up with Loch Ness Exploration for a record-breaking monster hunt that drew legions of volunteers—both physically and virtually. The escapade ended with some intriguing underwater acoustics and a few possible Nessie encounters.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
This year, they're upping the ante. “We're gearing up for our most gargantuan search yet,” declared Paul Nixon, the Centre's general manager. The hope is that NASA’s advanced equipment will unveil some of Loch Ness’s deepest secrets during this monumental search. Nixon is not only eyeing high-tech help but is also considering bringing in some academic heavyweights from UK universities—and possibly even aerospace giants in future missions (sorry, no “Loch-heed” Martin puns intended yet).
Amidst the grand plans, volunteers will continue the traditional Nessie stakeout—by boat and with a 60-foot hydrophone in tow, listening for any cryptic echoes from the deep. Remote enthusiasts won’t miss out either; they can join the hunt via live cameras streaming from the ‘Visit Inverness Loch Ness’ website.
Nixon is optimistic about this year's search, planning not only to attract the usual monster hunters but also to enlist experts from academia and perhaps, one day, even aerospace giants like “Loch-heed” Martin. “We need NASA's expertise and maybe a bit of their clout to give some credibility to our quest, which is often scoffed at,” Todd explained.
In the end, whether through star-studded tech or sheer luck, the Loch Ness Centre is determined to uncover the truth about their elusive local legend, once and for all.
