A perplexing discovery made during a 2023 deep-sea exploration has finally been identified by scientists, bringing closure to a mystery that captivated researchers and the public alike for more than two years.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced this week that the so-called 'golden orb'—a bright, spherical object spotted on the ocean floor during the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition—is actually a remnant of dead cells that formed at the base of a giant deep-sea anemone, Relicanthus daphneae.
The discovery occurred during live video footage captured by NOAA's Okeanos Explorer ship as it surveyed the Gulf of Alaska at a depth exceeding two miles—specifically 3,250 meters below the surface. The reaction from expedition crew members reflected the surreal nature of the find. One researcher was heard muttering during the live feed, "It's like the beginning of a horror movie," while another commented, "I'm pretty sure this is how the first episode of the X-Files started."
The unusual appearance and unknown origin of the golden mass prompted NOAA to collect the specimen using a suction sampler and transport it to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for comprehensive analysis. What followed was a complex, multi-year investigation that required expertise from multiple scientific disciplines.
Allen Collins, Ph.D, zoologist and director of NOAA Fisheries' National Systematics Laboratory, explained the challenges involved in the identification process. "I suspected that our routine processes would clarify the mystery," Collins stated. "But this turned into a special case that required focused efforts and expertise of several different individuals. This was a complex mystery that required morphological, genetic, deep-sea and bioinformatics expertise to solve."
Initial attempts at DNA barcoding proved inconclusive, likely because the process detected genetic material from microscopic organisms living on the specimen rather than the specimen itself. Researchers then employed more sophisticated techniques, including whole-genome sequencing, which confirmed the presence of animal DNA containing substantial genetic material from the giant deep-sea anemone. Further sequencing of mitochondrial genomes from both specimens revealed they were genetically almost identical to a known Relicanthus daphneae reference genome.
The scientists determined that the bright golden remnants represented the portion of the anemone that would have attached to rock substrate on the ocean floor. In their official statement, NOAA confirmed: "Mystery solved: The 'golden orb' is not an egg, a sponge, or remnants of a space alien, but a relic of a deep-sea anemone."
The resolution of this mystery underscores both the challenges and rewards of deep-sea exploration. NOAA acknowledged in their media statement that while scientists frequently encounter unfamiliar organisms during ocean exploration, most mysteries are resolved quickly through collaboration within the scientific community. However, certain discoveries present genuine puzzles that require extended investigation.
CAPT William Mowitt, acting director of NOAA Ocean Exploration, emphasized the broader significance of such discoveries. "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," Mowitt said. "This is why we keep exploring—to unlock the secrets of the deep and better understand how the ocean and its resources can drive economic growth, strengthen our national security, and sustain our planet."
The case also serves as a reminder of the patience required in scientific research. "In a world accustomed to instant gratification, waiting for scientific research to provide answers can be frustrating. But science takes time," NOAA noted in their statement.
Despite solving this particular enigma, researchers acknowledge that the deep ocean continues to harbor countless undiscovered species and unexplained phenomena. The successful identification of the golden orb demonstrates how advancing technology and collaborative scientific effort can illuminate even the most perplexing mysteries found in the planet's least explored frontier.