Scientists Solve Mystery of Alaska's Golden Orb

When scientists exploring the seafloor off Alaska's coast spotted a gleaming golden orb attached to a rock in August 2023, nobody could figure out what it was. Now, after almost three years of detective work, the mystery is finally solved.

The four-inch specimen was resting more than two miles beneath the ocean's surface when researchers using a remotely operated vehicle carefully collected it. Even after bringing it aboard the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer, the team remained stumped.

"Everyone was like, 'What the heck? What is that?'" recalls Allen Collins, a zoologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. The orb looked unlike anything they'd seen before.

The specimen was sent to the Smithsonian for deeper analysis. Researchers examined it under microscopes and discovered special stinging cells found in jellyfish, sea anemones and corals. That narrowed the possibilities to about 4,000 species.

Genetic testing proved tricky at first because the samples were contaminated by other microscopic life. But when scientists analyzed the complete genome, they struck gold: the blob contained massive amounts of DNA from Relicanthus daphneae, a giant deep-sea anemone.

The identification solved one puzzle but deepened another. R. daphneae has confused scientists since the 1970s, with researchers debating whether it's truly an anemone or something entirely new. These creatures grow massive tentacles nearly seven feet long and live near deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

The golden orb turned out to be the durable outer layer, or cuticle, that R. daphneae secretes to anchor itself to rocks. When scientists reviewed old footage, they found images showing trails of golden material where the creatures had moved across rocky surfaces.

Why This Inspires

This discovery reminds us that our oceans still hold countless mysteries waiting to be uncovered. The careful work of scientists over three years shows how persistence and curiosity reveal nature's secrets. Every new finding helps us better understand and protect the remarkable creatures sharing our planet.

The case also highlights how collaborative science works. What started as a puzzling discovery during an ocean mapping project became a years-long investigation involving multiple institutions and cutting-edge genetic analysis.

Past observations suggest R. daphneae can detach and leave their cuticles behind when relocating, explaining why most collected specimens lack this golden layer. The ability to shed and move might be how these ancient creatures survive in the harsh deep-sea environment.

The discovery happened during Seascape Alaska, a regional mapping project exploring one of Earth's least-known frontiers. Anyone can watch these explorations unfold in real-time through livestreams when research vessels are investigating the ocean.

Scientists continue studying R. daphneae to understand its evolutionary history and how it survives in extreme deep-sea conditions. Each discovery brings us closer to understanding life in the deepest parts of our oceans.