Will Nasa help to find Nessie? US space agency asked to join loch search

Nasa has been asked to help out as a new search for the Loch Ness Monster is set to get under way.

The Loch Ness Centre, in the Scottish Highlands, has asked Nasa and other scientists and universities to lend their expertise in a new hunt for the rumoured creature.

Last year, one of the biggest searches of Loch Ness concluded with a hydrophone capturing loud underwater noises and several potential sightings. The latest search will take place on the 90th anniversary of the first organised surface watch of Loch Ness, Edward Mountain’s expedition, from May 30 to June 2.

Explaining how Nasa could help, Aimee Todd, marketing manager for 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.”

Since that first expedition in 1934, the Watchers of the Monster, there have been 1,156 sightings of the beast on the official Loch Ness Monster sightings register.

Last year, the newly revamped Loch Ness Centre partnered with Loch Ness Exploration, an independent and voluntary research team, together with hundreds of in-person and virtual volunteers to search the waters of the loch.

Volunteers are being recruited to keep a surface watch, watching out for breaks in the water. They will be briefed on what to look out for and how to record findings.

Those unable to make it to the loch can get involved through keeping an eye on live cameras on the Visit Inverness Loch Ness website.

The Loch Ness Centre is located at the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, where hotel manager Aldie Mackay reported seeing a “water beast” in the loch 90 years ago.

Loch Ness Centre 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, 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.”