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Mysterious Golden Orb Found in Deep Sea
20 Nov
Summary
- A golden orb was discovered deep underwater off Alaska's coast.
- Scientists are unsure if it's an egg, sponge, or coral.
- The orb was collected for further study to identify its origin.
An extraordinary discovery was made in the deep ocean off Alaska, where a remotely operated vehicle encountered a mysterious golden orb. Found at a depth of around 3,300 meters, the object, approximately 10 centimeters in size, was tightly attached to a rock. Its unusual texture and a hole in its surface have puzzled scientists, leading to initial hypotheses that it could be an egg casing from an unknown species, a dead sponge, or a type of coral.
Researchers on a livestream speculated about the orb's nature, with one humorously noting the potential for a horror movie scenario if something were to emerge from it. Deep-sea ecologist Kerry Howell suggested that if it is an egg, it is a remarkably large one, and its solitary presence is also unusual, as most oviparous animals lay eggs in clutches. The orb was gently nudged with a robotic arm and then collected via suction for laboratory examination.
This finding highlights the vast unknown of Earth's deep oceans, which remain largely unexplored. Despite technological advancements like ROVs, humanity has visually surveyed only a tiny fraction of the deep seafloor. The "golden orb" serves as a compelling reminder of the immense biodiversity and ongoing mysteries within our planet's largest ecosystem, emphasizing how much there is still to learn and understand about marine life and its reproductive strategies.
