Brittlestars use sophositicated crystalline optics...

[Anonymous]

Here's an article about the optical properties of crystals on brittlestars:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010822/sc/starfish_lens_1.html

 

[Anonymous]

Woops, looks like Big R beat me to it!! http://www.reefs.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=028228

[ August 22, 2001: Message edited by: Cheese Sandwich ]

 

[Big R]

Was wondering how those buggers move so quickly.

R

 

[ophiuroid]

I knew these years of studying them (albeit dead one's) would have some application!!!

Time for a little song and dance....!!!!

BTW, there will be an NPR story on this soon, at least there is one in the works

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Brittlestars!! http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
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[Anonymous]

Heard the NPR story on the way home and was going to post for you Ophiuroid. Were you aware of this and didn't let us know

. Interesting that a materials scientist aalso discovered it.

 

[Anonymous]

Very cool...

 

[ophiuroid]

I was contacted by the reporter, but don't know if I sent her information in time. Wouldn't you know it, the day I don't check my email something like that comes through. I didn't know when the story would air (certainly didn't think it would be today)...but then the AP wire had the story.
Anyway, for those who didn't get a chance, here is the NPR link to a story and the audio:
http://www.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2001/aug/010822.brittlestars.html

There is also a link through my website, below

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Brittlestars: they'll improve our lives (and are just plain cool)!!
http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
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