This newly discovered jellyfish looks like something out of 'Avatar'

There's still a lot left to learn about the Mariana Trench and the sea creatures that dwell in its depths, but researchers say they are discovering more with each visit. 

Take, for example, last week's discovery of a never-before-seen jellyfish. Cameras on the Okeanos Explorer, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research vessel, caught the animal gracefully swimming at a depth of 2.7 miles.

NOAA scientists, who called the jellyfish "stunningly beautiful" in a statement, believe that the bioluminescent creature may be an ambush predator, given that it had its long tentacles splayed outward while its bell remained motionless. Scientists identified it as belonging to the genus Crossota. 

You can see a video of the discovery below. Although the jellyfish may look cartoonish, scientists insist they are real. 

NOAA will be exploring the Mariana Trench and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands until July 10. 

"The primary expedition goal is to acquire baseline information in deepwater areas to support science and management needs, and to understand the diversity and distribution of deepwater habitats," NOAA said in a statement about the exploration.  

You can follow the Okeanos Explorer through a live stream NOAA set up.

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