News All MBL News Newsletter Recent Grants Back to main menu Overview Grant Awards 2022-23 MBL Accolades MBL Publications Media Information Social Media Information Science Communication Resources for Scientists Obituaries Home All MBL News How the Blue-Ringed Octopus Flashes its Rings | Physics Today The greater blue-ringed octopus (H. lunulata). Credit: Kimberly Tripp Randal, iNaturalist By Lydia Mäthger | Physics Today January 19, 2023 Share Articles Share Marine Biological Laboratory | How the Blue-Ringed Octopus Flashes its Rings | Physics Today on Facebook Share Marine Biological Laboratory | How the Blue-Ringed Octopus Flashes its Rings | Physics Today on Twitter Share Marine Biological Laboratory | How the Blue-Ringed Octopus Flashes its Rings | Physics Today on LinkedIn Related Scientists Full Name Roger Hanlon Categories Eugene Bell Center Media Mentions When hiding and camouflaged, the blue-ringed octopus (H. lunulata) conceals the ~60 blue rings that dot its body and arms. But when threatened, in a blink of an eye, it exposes its blue rings in a series of bright flashes, a warning intended to deter predators. Optical physicists and materials scientists are interested in these displays for a number of reasons. Read full article here. This brief in Physics Today summarizes research from the lab of Roger Hanlon that was originally published in 2012. Lead author Lydia Mäthger is currently affiliated with Roger Williams University. Source: How the blue-ringed octopus flashes its rings | Physics Today Share Articles Share Marine Biological Laboratory | How the Blue-Ringed Octopus Flashes its Rings | Physics Today on Facebook Share Marine Biological Laboratory | How the Blue-Ringed Octopus Flashes its Rings | Physics Today on Twitter Share Marine Biological Laboratory | How the Blue-Ringed Octopus Flashes its Rings | Physics Today on LinkedIn