Liputan6.com, Jakarta - In 2023, a mysterious golden sphere-shaped object, nicknamed the "golden sphere," was officially identified in April 2026 by a research team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) after an extensive investigation.
This discovery and identification occurred in the Gulf of Alaska, at a depth of approximately 3,250 meters.
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Initially, scientists speculated whether the object was an eggshell, a dead sponge, or something entirely new.
However, through in-depth research at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, its identity was finally revealed.
"So often in deep ocean exploration, we find these captivating mysteries, like the ‘golden orb’. With advanced techniques like DNA sequencing, we are able to solve more and more of them," William Mowitt, the acting director of NOAA Ocean Exploration, said in a statement.
Identity Revealed: Giant Deep-Sea Anemone
In April 2026, NOAA officially announced that the mystery of the "golden sphere" had been solved.
The object is the remains of dead cells that form the base of a giant deep-sea anemone, Relicanthus daphneae.
Scientists speculate that this eye-catching golden part is usually hidden beneath the anemone, but somehow, it "appears to be left behind" and is clearly visible on the seafloor.
The anemone, Relicanthus daphneae, is known for its pink, cylindrical body that can grow to nearly one meter (three feet) long, with tentacles that can reach two meters (six feet).
Its stinging cells are the largest of any known cnidarians, making it a formidable predator in the deep sea environment.
A Surprising Initial Discovery
On August 30, 2023, during the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition, NOAA scientists discovered this suspicious object using a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) called Deep Discoverer.
The golden sphere, attached to a rocky outcrop on the seafloor, drew attention due to its humpbacked shape, golden color, and mysterious hole in its center.
Measuring approximately 10 centimeters, the object immediately sparked a flurry of speculation about its origin, ranging from eggshells to dead sponges, and even some calling it a "living" "mysterious golden sphere."
The discovery happened at a depth of more than 2 miles (about 3,250 meters) in the Gulf of Alaska, a pitch-black, high-pressure environment.
Researchers who witnessed the discovery said they could not immediately identify the object, and initially speculated that the large hole in the sphere might indicate something had tried to enter or exit.
A Complex Scientific Identification Process
After being discovered, the golden sphere was carefully collected using the ROV's robotic arm and sent to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for further analysis.
This identification process involved a multi-year collaborative effort by NOAA Fisheries and Smithsonian scientists.
Initial examination revealed that the object was not a typical animal anatomical structure, but rather consisted of a fibrous material with a layered surface containing stinging cells.
These stinging cells were identified as spirocysts, specialized cellular structures found only in the group of aquatic invertebrates known as cnidarians, such as corals and anemones.
Although initial DNA testing was inconclusive, whole-genome sequencing ultimately showed that both specimens were "genetically nearly identical" to a type of cnidarian called Relicanthus daphneae.