Mysterious Golden Orb from Gulf of Alaska Identified as Rare Giant Deep-Sea Sponge Remnant

The mysterious “golden orb” retrieved from over two miles beneath the Gulf of Alaska in 2023 has been identified by scientists as a remnant of a rare giant deep-sea anemone, specifically the base portion that anchored the organism to the seafloor.

NOAA Ocean Exploration and the Smithsonian Institution concluded after detailed analysis that the object, officially cataloged as USNM_IZ_1699903, is not a complete organism but rather the basal part of Relicanthus daphneae, a species of deep-sea anemone belonging to the cnidarian group, which includes corals and jellyfish.

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.

William Mowitt, acting director of NOAA Ocean Exploration

Initial examination of the orb puzzled researchers due to its lack of recognizable animal features. However, closer analysis revealed fibrous layers packed with stinging cells, indicating a biological origin and linking it to cnidarians. DNA sequencing confirmed the identification.

The specimen was collected during a NOAA expedition using the remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer at a depth of approximately 3,250 meters (over 2 miles) in the Gulf of Alaska. Following collection, it was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, where It’s now part of the Invertebrate Zoology Collection.

The identification brings closure to a mystery that captured public attention after the orb’s discovery in 2023. Scientists noted that such deep-sea discoveries often remain enigmatic for years before advanced laboratory techniques can provide answers.