The Deep Sea has always been a mysterious place with plenty of unknown wonders. Scientists made a surprising discovery right off the coast of Alaska, and it’s causing quite a stir!
On the 30th of August, two miles beneath the scientists found a delicate, shimmering orb. So, what is it about this find that has marine scientists and enthusiasts around the globe buzzing? Let’s have a look.
The Egg and Its Mystery Hole
The team was on a mission with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) during their Seascape Alaska 5 expedition. Think of it as a deep-sea treasure hunt, where instead of gold and gems, the team is looking for unknown sea creatures and habitats. They hit the jackpot with this “Golden Egg” find! The scientists carefully removed the orb by using a remotely operated Robot arm.
What’s even cooler than the egg’s golden glow is the strange hole it has. One of the scientists remarked, “Something tried to get in… or to get out,” on the live feed of its discovery. Sounds like something right out of a sci-fi movie, right? “I just hope when we poke it, something doesn’t decide to come out,” said another member of the team.
The texture of this golden orb is surprisingly delicate, feeling almost like skin. Some believe it could be the egg of some unknown creature. Others think it might be a unique type of marine sponge.
What Do the Experts Think?
Professor Kerry Howell, a professor of deep-sea ecology at the University of Plymouth exclaimed, “I’ve never seen anything like this!” Such words coming from a seasoned expert like her really highlight how special this discovery is.
“In my 20 years exploring the deep sea I have not seen anything like that. It’s always exciting to see new things and I will wait eagerly for the analysis of the sample to understand what it actually is,” added Professor Kerry.
Another expert, Professor Murray Roberts, pondered if this could be the egg case of a deep-sea fish. Maybe, just maybe, something hatched from this golden wonder and swam away, leaving us with more questions than answers!
A smooth golden orb has been found deep at the bottom of the Alaskan seafloor — and marine scientists admit they have no idea what it is, although they speculate it could be the “egg casing” of a mysterious creature. https://t.co/e45SxP8jSu
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 7, 2023
Conclusion
This “Golden Egg” discovery shows how much of the ocean remains unexplored and full of surprises. While the movies show us fantastical creatures and underwater cities, in reality, there’s still so much we don’t know about our own planet. And every now and then, the ocean tosses us a shimmering puzzle like this, reminding us of its endless mysteries.