In late August, while conducting marine exploration in the depths of the Gulf of Alaska, scientists made a discovery that baffled both experts and amateurs.
A golden orb, mysteriously attached to a stone dotted with white sponges, defies the expectations of researchers, who are still trying to interpret its nature. This amazing discovery, which looks like something out of a science fiction story, presents a fascinating mystery that has puzzled even the most experienced experts in the field of oceanography.
This golden orb, seen for the first time on August 30, is located about 3,300 meters (2 miles) below the surface of the ocean, in a place where sunlight never penetrates.
This is the result of an expedition carried out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is in the middle of a five-month exploration mission to the deep sea near Alaska.
The mystery began to unravel when NOAA researchers found the golden orb “tightly attached” to a sea rock. The object, which measured approximately 10 centimeters (4 inches) across and had a hole on one side, puzzled scientists.
In a live broadcast during the scan, speculation quickly arose. Some researchers suggest that it may be the eggshell of an unknown species, while others venture the possibility that it is a sponge or even a type of coral.
Social media has been flooded with images and discussions about this unprecedented object, nicknamed the “golden egg.” The scientific community admitted their ignorance and lack of certainty about the object’s identity, describing it as a “golden orb.”
However, the mystery does not stop there. By using a remotely operated underwater vehicle, the research team was able to examine the golden orb in more detail. They discovered that it had a smooth texture, similar to human skin, rather than the gelatinous consistency they thought. They carefully suctioned the object through a tube to take it to the laboratory for further analysis.
Dr Tammy Horton, from the National Oceanography Center in Southampton, speculated that this discovery could be “potentially a new species”. As researchers continue to study the object, DNA analyzes are being conducted to shed light on its origin and possibly identify the species to which it belongs.
On the other hand, Dr. Lucy Woodall, a professor at the University of Exeter, believes the object could be a sea sponge and suggests the hole may be due to the passage of time. However, he emphasized that the deep sea is home to many wonders that people have not yet discovered.
