Scientists Identify Mysterious 'Golden Orb' Found Off Alaska's Coast
Researchers have identified the 'golden orb' discovered in 2023 off Alaska's coast as part of the deep-sea anemone Relicanthus daphneae.
In August 2023, during a deep-sea expedition in the Gulf of Alaska, scientists aboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer discovered a mysterious golden object at a depth of approximately 3,300 meters (2 miles). The smooth, dome-shaped specimen, about 10 centimeters (4 inches) in diameter, was tightly adhered to a rock and featured a small hole near its base. Initial observations left researchers puzzled about its identity.
The object was collected using a remotely operated vehicle and sent to NOAA Fisheries' National Systematics Laboratory at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., for further analysis.
After extensive examination, including anatomical, microscopic, and genetic analyses, scientists identified the specimen as part of the base of a giant deep-sea anemone known as Relicanthus daphneae. This anemone uses a golden-colored cuticle to anchor itself to rocky surfaces on the seafloor.
The discovery highlights the importance of physical samples and genetic testing in deep-sea taxonomy, as well as the potential for new findings to reveal more about the distribution and behavior of deep-sea species.