Thoughts on the 52-Hertz Whale
Introduction The 52-hertz whale is a mysterious creature that continues calling at a frequency unlike any other whale. In 1992, the U.S. Navy’s underwater acoustic surveillance system (SOSUS) discovered a whale that calls at a distinctive frequency of 52Hz, much higher than typical blue whales (15-25Hz) or fin whales (around 20Hz). Known as “the world’s loneliest whale,” it has influenced marine biologists, acousticians, filmmakers, and writers alike. Does the 52Hz whale really exist? Is it truly lonely? I decided to investigate. ...