A 'Golden Orb' on the Ocean Floor Came From a Mysterious Animal
A golden orb discovered on the ocean floor in the Gulf of Alaska has been identified as the remains of a rare deep-sea anemone called Relicanthus daphneae. Initially thought to be an alien object, the orb was found to be a detached cuticle produced by the anemone. This finding highlights the ongoing mysteries of deep-sea biodiversity and the challenges in classifying obscure marine organisms.
- ▪The golden orb was retrieved during a submarine expedition three years ago.
- ▪Researchers concluded that the orb is the organic remains of Relicanthus daphneae, a giant anemone.
- ▪DNA sequencing showed a 99.9 percent match to the anemone species, confirming its identity.
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| Canonical URL | https://www.wired.com/story/a-golden-orb-on-the-ocean-floor-came-from-a-mysterious-animal/ |
| Publication time | Sat, 23 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-23T09:07:26.171Z |
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Jorge GarayScienceMay 23, 2026 5:00 AMA ‘Golden Orb’ on the Ocean Floor Came From a Mysterious AnimalA fascinating, unclassifiable orb found in the Gulf of Alaska is not an alien object, as some speculated, but the remains of a poorly documented animal.A golden orb found on the ocean floor.Courtesy of NOAA Ocean ExplorationCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThree years ago, during an expedition at the bottom of the Gulf of Alaska, a submarine detected a golden orb that contrasted with surrounding rocks. Its smooth, organic surface did not resemble that of any known animal; the team immediately retrieved it for study. Now, at last, we know what it was.The submarine retrieves the golden orb.
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