During the most recent expedition “Seascape Alaska 5”, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) made an extraordinary discovery that has the scientific community intrigued.
At the bottom of the ocean, 3.1 kilometers deep, a golden object was found that quickly received the nickname “golden egg” due to its peculiar appearance.
Exploring the ocean
The discovery occurred when a NOAA Ocean Exploration remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was exploring the coast of Alaska as part of the “Seascape Alaska 5” expedition.
The object, which resembles a golden sphere with a hole in the middle, was anchored to a rocky surface, which made its identification even more enigmatic.
Photo: NOAA Ocean Exploration/Reproduction
One of the explorers involved in the discovery expressed his surprise by stating that “something tried to enter… or leave” the object, referring to the mysterious central hole.
To investigate further, the team used a robotic arm to examine the “golden egg”. That one technology it was used during the expedition to gently vacuum up a pile of strange disks embedded in a sea wall.
Despite speculation, researchers have still not been able to reach a definitive conclusion about the nature of the object. Some theories suggest that it could be the skeleton of a dead sponge, some type of unknown coral or even an egg capsule from some marine species.
A member of the expedition team expressed his concerns by saying, “I just hope that when we poke something doesn’t decide to come out.”
Accurately identifying the mystery object will require closer inspection and detailed analysis. According to one team member: “When our collective knowledge can’t identify it, it’s a weird thing.”
More about the expedition
Expedition “Seascape Alaska” 5 began on August 23 and extended from the waters of Kodiak, Alaska, to Seward. NOAA Ocean Exploration scientists are focused on exploration of marine habitats at depths ranging from 200 meters to 6 thousand meters.
Her goal is to map the environment and study corals, sponges, chemosynthetic communities and past and potential geological risks.
While experts continue their analyzes and investigations, the “golden egg” persists as a fascinating and challenging mystery. It is a reminder of the vast and intriguing complexity of the deep ocean and its ability to surprise humanity with stunning discoveries.
