An astrophysicist under the sea
Itziar Aretxaga Méndez is a researcher at the National Institute of Optical and Electronic Astrophysics in Mexico. Study the formation and evolution of galaxies, supernovae, etc. with the Large Millimeter Telescope at 4,600 meters. Close to the sky, and he works looking up at the sky. In his spare time, he loves to sink under the sea.
He feels absolute tranquility and peace underwater and forgets all the problems. “Without weight, in silence, that you only listen to your breath, and seeing such a wonderful nature in front of your eyes, it is easy to concentrate on this beauty and feel part of it,” says Aretxaga.
It has discovered about a thousand galaxies and has been submerged almost as many times under the sea. He's been exploring this underwater universe for seventeen years. Almost from the beginning he started working in an environmental conservation association, identifying and counting fish. It was precisely for this purpose that he bought the camera and gradually entered the world of underwater photography. However, he does not consider himself a photographer, but a diver who takes photographs.
Veracruz’s coral reefs are close to her home, where she walks for many weekends helping biologists. “These reefs are very interesting because they are located in a circular stream within the Gulf of Mexico. Being in a circular stream, we have identified many endemic species and measured their distribution.”
Further on, he loves the Revillagigedo archipelago. “Dolphins and giant blankets come up to you so you can touch them. Even the sharks come to see what you are. It's wonderful to have communication with such great animals. It’s a strange place.”
He dreams of continuing to see new animals. He admits that he has a long list of animals that he has not yet seen under the sea, such as whales. “Every species I haven’t seen impresses me when I find it.”
Buletina
Bidali zure helbide elektronikoa eta jaso asteroko buletina zure sarrera-ontzian