What did NOAA Ocean Exploration find off the coast of Alaska?

NOAA Ocean Exploration found a mysterious, golden orb at approximately 3,300 meters below the ocean's surface.

What are scientists guessing the golden orb could be?

Initial guesses include an egg casing, a sponge, or a coral, with speculation that something may have hatched from it.

How much of the deep seafloor has been explored by humans?

Humans have visually explored only about 0.001 percent of the deep seafloor, leaving most of this ecosystem unseen.

Home / Science / Mysterious Golden Orb Found in Deep Sea

Mysterious Golden Orb Found in Deep Sea

20 Nov, 2025

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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.