Golden orb discovered on ocean floor near Alaska

A team from NOAA Ocean Exploration discovered a mysterious golden orb in the deep ocean off Alaska. The orb was found at a depth of around 3,300 meters (about 2 miles) during an expedition in 2023. The object is about 10 centimeters (4 inches) wide and has a hole in one side. It was found attached to a rock covered with white sponges. Scientists are unsure about what the orb is. Some ideas include it being an egg casing from an unknown species or perhaps a dead sponge or coral. One researcher jokingly compared nudging the orb to the start of a horror movie, wondering what might come out. Another expert suggested that something might have hatched from it, hinting that it is bigger than typical fish eggs. The orb was soft to the touch, and the researchers used a robotic arm to gently collect it for further analysis. They noted that it is unusual for eggs to be found alone since most oviparous animals lay them in groups. This discovery highlights the many mysteries of the deep sea. The ocean remains largely unexplored due to its extreme conditions. However, the use of underwater vehicles is slowly uncovering new secrets, including how deep-sea creatures reproduce. Exploration coordinator Sam Candio remarked on the wonder of finding such a unique object. He emphasized how much humanity still has to learn about the ocean and its diverse life forms. The orb could provide key insights into the biology of deep-sea creatures.