In the last days, A curious starfish recorded in the depths of the South Atlantic has sparked a real stir on social media.The reason is simple: its shape and color are strikingly reminiscent of Patrick, the character from the famous animated series. Sponge BobThis discovery has not only aroused public sympathy but has also served as a gateway to scientific work carried out in one of Argentina's most underexplored marine environments.
The undisputed star of the viral phenomenon is an Antarctic starfish, spotted at more than 1.300 meters deep. in the Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon, within the framework of the campaign Continental Slope IV. Its robust appearance and pink and orange hues, along with the clearly visible central disc, immediately drew parallels with Bikini Bottom's famous neighbor. Users of X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and other social media profiles turned the image into a meme and affectionately nicknamed it “Patrick,” giving the scientific mission instant notoriety.
An unexpected discovery on an unprecedented expedition
La Continental Slope IV marine expedition represents one of the projects of the most ambitious deep exploration ever undertaken in the region. Led by specialists from CONICET, the Institute of Biology of Marine Organisms (IBIOMAR), the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales and other institutions, the campaign's main objective is document the biodiversity of the Mar del Plata Submarine CanyonThis area, located approximately 300 kilometers from the Buenos Aires coast and considered a biogeographic boundary due to the interaction of warm and cold waters, is home to vulnerable habitats and unique species that have barely been studied until now.
The team uses cutting-edge technology such as ROV SuBastian, an underwater robot capable of descending to almost 4.000 meters, transmitting high-definition images and collecting samples without disturbing the environment. The operations are broadcast live on the Schmidt Ocean Institute's YouTube channel., allowing thousands of people to follow the discoveries in real time, celebrate the rarities, and share them on social media.
During the first dives, In addition to the already famous star "Patricio"Sponges and marine creatures of such unusual shapes have been recorded that the public, amidst joking and amazement, joked that they were seeing the real "Bikini Bottom." Documented species also include a curious "Bikini Bottom" (Benthodytes violetta), crabs, corals, rays, and little-known fish, reinforcing the scientific value of the project.
Impact on outreach and citizen science
La The media impact of the star Patricio goes far beyond humorThanks to its open broadcast and virality on social media, the campaign has brought marine science closer to the general public, making it more accessible and fostering interest in ocean conservation. Thousands of viewers have participated in the live broadcasts, adding questions and comments in real time, and, with their curiosity, furthering the scope of the research.
The project has the collaboration of more than 30 scientists from institutions in Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Córdoba, Ushuaia and other parts of the country. In addition to its dissemination objective, the expedition develops 3D models of registered species and free educational material for schools, museums, and science clubs. All the information collected is published in open access on scientific platforms such as CONICET Digital, OBIS, and GenBank.
No less important, for the first time in Argentine waters, a robot capable of providing ultra-high-definition images at extreme depths is being used. According to researchers, live streaming allows for breaking down barriers and “opening the doors of the laboratory.”, bringing scientific work closer to anyone interested from their own home.