Summary (tl;dr)

Scientists have finally identified the mysterious "golden orb" discovered in the Gulf of Alaska in 2023 as the remnant of a giant deep-sea anemone, solving a two-and-a-half-year-old oceanographic puzzle.

Essential Background

In August 2023, during an expedition by NOAA Ocean Exploration in the Gulf of Alaska, a remotely operated vehicle discovered a peculiar, golden, softball-sized object attached to a rock at depths exceeding two miles. The discovery sparked widespread speculation among both scientists and the public, with theories ranging from an unknown egg casing to extraterrestrial origins due to its unusual appearance and a mysterious hole.

The Full Story

After nearly two and a half years of intensive study, scientists from NOAA Fisheries and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History have successfully identified the "golden orb." Through an integrative taxonomic approach combining physical structure analysis and advanced genetic sequencing, they determined the orb to be the dead cellular remains that once formed the base of a giant deep-sea anemone, Relicanthus daphneae. This basal structure typically anchors the anemone to the seafloor and is usually hidden beneath the living creature. Researchers suggest the anemone either died or relocated, leaving this portion behind.

Why It Matters

The identification of the "golden orb" is significant as it underscores the vast and unexplored nature of the deep ocean, where many mysteries still await discovery. The public interest and scientific collaboration involved in solving this puzzle highlight the importance of deep-sea exploration and the application of advanced scientific techniques, such as DNA sequencing, in understanding Earth's biodiversity. This discovery contributes to our knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems and the life forms that inhabit them, which are crucial for a complete understanding of our planet.

Geographic Location

• Gulf of Alaska, Alaska, United States (discovery and collection of the "golden orb")
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (analysis and identification of the "golden orb")