‘Golden orb’ found off Alaskan coast puzzles scientist
A new video from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows the discovery of a strange golden object off the coast of Alaska on August 30.
SEATTLE — A “golden ball” is called a “yellow hat” found off the coast of Alaska on a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expedition that has left scientists confused.
NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer encountered the “incredible sight” on August 30 while exploring a small mountain in the Gulf of Alaska. NOAA said the rover was using a remotely operated vehicle and was gliding over a rock outcrop at a depth of about 2 miles at the time.
NOAA described the object as a “smooth, yellow, dome-shaped specimen a little more than 4 inches in diameter” and firmly attached to a rock. A small hole or tear near its base reveals a similarly colored interior.
Scientists have been stumped trying to identify it. Initial thoughts range from a dead sponge, to coral, to eggshells.
Since its discovery, it has been dubbed the “golden ball” and even the “golden egg” by the media.
Sam Candio of NOAA Ocean Exploration said: “Isn’t the deep sea very strange? Even though we were able to collect the ‘golden sphere’ and bring it on board, we still couldn’t identify it beyond the fact that it was of biological origin. We probably won’t learn more until we can get it into a lab setting.”
It remains unclear whether the golden dome is related to a known species, a new species, or even an unknown life stage of a known species.
Candio elaborated on the importance of ocean exploration and said the object is a reminder of how little we know about our planet and how much there is left to learn and appreciate. high about our oceans.
“New species have the potential to reveal new sources of medical therapies and vaccines, food, energy, and other societal benefits and knowledge. Collectively, the data and information collected during this expedition will help us close the gap in our understanding of this part of the planet, so we can better manage and protect it,” Candio said. .
