Mysterious Golden Orb on Alaska Seafloor Identified as Deep-Sea Anemone Debris

NOAA and Smithsonian researchers resolved a two-year marine science puzzle in May 2026: a 10-centimeter golden sphere collected from 3,250 meters depth near Alaska in August 2023 is cellular debris shed by Relicanthus daphneae, a rarely observed giant anemone. The organism uses a golden coating to anchor itself to rocky substrates; it sheds this structure when relocating or reproducing. The specimen now belongs to the Smithsonian's permanent collection.