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Loch Ness monster: NASA urged to help as new search begins
NASA has asked to help in a new search for the Loch Ness monster.
The Loch Ness Centre has urged the space agency to lend its expertise in a fresh hunt for the legendary creature.
Last year, one of the biggest searches of Loch Ness in the Highlands concluded with a hydrophone capturing loud underwater noises and several potential sightings.
The latest search will place on the 90th anniversary of Sir Edward Mountain’s expedition from 30 May to 2 June.
Since that first expedition in 1934, the Watchers of the Monster, there have been over 1,156 sightings recorded on the official Loch Ness monster register.
Loch Ness. Pic: PA
Aimee Todd from the Loch Ness Centre said: “We are hoping that Nessie hunters around the world will help us reach the people at NASA.
“We are hoping to reach them through the power of social media. We are just hoping for their expert guidance to help with our ongoing quest to get answers.
“We have gone to UK universities. We are hoping that experts from NASA might have some advanced imaging technology to scan the loch.
“We would have to sit down and talk to them about how to get it here.”
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Volunteers during the new search will be tasked to keep an eye on the surface, looking for breaks in the water. They will be briefed on what to look out for and how to record findings.
Those unable to make the search in person can get involved through the live cameras on the Visit Inverness Loch Ness website.
A screening of Loch Ness: They Created A Monster – a documentary exploring the monster-hunting frenzy in the 1970s and 1980s – will also take place, along with a special Q&A with the director John MacLaverty.
And there will be a live debate with researcher Alan McKenna from Loch Ness Exploration, along with a witness account.
Nessie hunters can also go out on a boat with Deepscan captain Alistair Matheson, the skipper for the Loch Ness Project, as well as Mr McKenna, using a 18m (60ft) hydrophone to listen for mysterious sounds echoing from the depths of the loch.
The Loch Ness Centre. Pic: Muckle Media
The Loch Ness Centre is located at the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, where it is said manageress Aldie Mackay reported seeing a “water beast” in Loch Ness 90 years ago.
General manager Paul Nixon said: “Last year, we captured the world’s attention with one of the biggest-ever searches for Nessie, with participants joining us from America, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and more.
“With unexplained noises heard, alongside possible sightings, this year we are determined to find out more about the elusive Loch Ness monster.
“As well as asking for the help of budding monster hunters to help us on our quest, we are asking for the help of experts.
“We’re excited to make this search the biggest ever, as we look for new equipment to help us uncover the loch’s biggest mysteries.”
Loch Ness is about the same depth as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Pic: VisitScotland
Not only is Loch Ness perhaps the country’s most well-known loch, but it is also Scotland’s second deepest – after Loch Morar in the Highlands – and comes in at about 227m (745ft) at its deepest point.
Loch Ness is also Scotland’s biggest loch by volume and contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.
It is about the same depth as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.