NOAA Identifies Mysterious 'Golden Orb' as Deep-Sea Anemone Remnant
After a two-and-a-half-year investigation, NOAA scientists have determined that the 'golden orb' discovered in 2023 is a remnant of the deep-sea anemone Relicanthus daphneae.
In August 2023, during an expedition in the Gulf of Alaska, NOAA's remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer encountered a mysterious golden object at a depth of approximately 3,250 meters. The object, resembling a golden orb with a small hole, was attached to a rocky outcrop on the seafloor.
After extensive analysis, including DNA sequencing and morphological studies, scientists have identified the object as a remnant of the deep-sea anemone Relicanthus daphneae. Specifically, it is the basal portion of the anemone that anchors the organism to the ocean floor.
"The now two-and-a-half-year-old mystery of the 'golden orb,' an unidentified object that captured significant public interest when it was collected during a 2023 NOAA expedition, has finally been solved," NOAA reported in an April 22 news release.
Relicanthus daphneae is known for its large size, with tentacles that can extend up to seven feet in length. The species was first described in 2006 and is typically found near hydrothermal vents in the deep ocean.
"So often in deep ocean exploration, we find these captivating mysteries, like the 'golden orb.' With advanced techniques like DNA sequencing, we are able to solve more and more of them," said Captain William Mowitt, acting director of NOAA Ocean Exploration.
The identification of the 'golden orb' underscores the importance of continued deep-sea exploration and the potential for new discoveries in the largely uncharted depths of the ocean.