Manu San Felix/National Geographic Pristine SeasFun fact: The gigantic organism that scientists say is bigger than a blue whale is a complex network of coral polyps, tiny creatures, rather than a reef — which is a network of many coral colonies.

Researchers have made a gargantuan discovery that’s as large as two basketball courts, visible from space, at least 300 years old and brimming with marine life: It’s the world’s largest coral, found in the southwest Pacific Ocean.

The largest coral in the world has been found in the Solomon Islands. The coral, which is visible from space, is three times larger than the previous record-breaker, and is believed to be about 300 years old.