New species of coral named after Chewbacca

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. While it's not helping fly the Millennium Falcon, marine biologists have discovered a new type of deep-sea coral in the western Pacific Ocean that bears a striking similarity to a certain beloved character. A new scientific analysis of the species initially documented almost two decades ago indicates that is its own species, with long, hairlike branches that live up to its namesake Wookie. Ten years later, another example was documented close to the Mariana Trench . But it would take a few more years before University of Hawai'i ecologist Les Watling noticed the strange, ethereal sight while reviewing research from some of his colleagues.