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Topic: Discoveries

The golden orb specimen, being held by a person with blue rubber gloves, in the lab at the Smithsonian Institute.

Scientists reveal identity of mysterious ‘golden orb’ collected during NOAA expedition

April 22, 2026

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ocean exploration

Okeanos Explorer

The golden orb specimen, being held by a person with blue rubber gloves, in the lab at the Smithsonian Institute.

New species Emmelichthys papillatus Girard, Santos, and Bemis 2024, also known as the papillated redbait. It will be known by its Tagalog name, rebentador pula, in its native range of the Philippines. Credit: Kagoshima University Museum.

NOAA researchers discover new fish species

April 1, 2024

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Earth science news

New species Emmelichthys papillatus Girard, Santos, and Bemis 2024, also known as the papillated redbait. It will be known by its Tagalog name, rebentador pula, in its native range of the Philippines. Credit: Kagoshima University Museum.

This unidentified specimen, photographed in the wet lab on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, was seen and collected on August 30, 2023, during Dive 07 of the Seascape Alaska 5: Gulf of Alaska Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping expedition.

2023 year in review: Marine heatwaves, greenhouse gases and more

December 19, 2023

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greenhouse gases

marine heat waves

research cruise

This unidentified specimen, photographed in the wet lab on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, was seen and collected on August 30, 2023, during Dive 07 of the Seascape Alaska 5: Gulf of Alaska Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping expedition.

This unidentified specimen, photographed in the wet lab on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, was seen and collected on August 30, 2023, during Dive 07 of the Seascape Alaska 5: Gulf of Alaska Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping expedition.

Researchers discover mysterious 'golden orb' in depths of Alaska waters

September 8, 2023

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Okeanos Explorer

This unidentified specimen, photographed in the wet lab on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, was seen and collected on August 30, 2023, during Dive 07 of the Seascape Alaska 5: Gulf of Alaska Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping expedition.

This gushing hydrothermal vent was captured on camera for the first time on May 1, 2016, during the Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. The 30-meter-high underwater vent was spewing high-temperature liquid thick with metal particulates. The area around it is home to exotic species including Chorocaris shrimp, Munidopsis squat lobsters, Austinograea crabs, limpets, mussels and snails.

Scientists discover hydrothermal vent activity in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

April 17, 2023

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ocean exploration

This gushing hydrothermal vent was captured on camera for the first time on May 1, 2016, during the Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. The 30-meter-high underwater vent was spewing high-temperature liquid thick with metal particulates. The area around it is home to exotic species including Chorocaris shrimp, Munidopsis squat lobsters, Austinograea crabs, limpets, mussels and snails.

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Join us for a deep-sea journey to the Ridge

July 14, 2022

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Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Glass sponge

Rare discovery: Massive glass sponges found off of the California coast

May 6, 2022

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Glass sponge

The so-called "E.T. sponge" (Advhena magnifica) prior to being collected in 2016 at a depth of -6,560 feet. Scientists call this class of sponges “glass sponges'' because their skeletons are made of silica (glass).

‘E.T. sponge’ just listed among top-10 new marine species

March 19, 2021

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ocean exploration

The so-called "E.T. sponge" (Advhena magnifica) prior to being collected in 2016 at a depth of -6,560 feet. Scientists call this class of sponges “glass sponges'' because their skeletons are made of silica (glass).

A 2021 article in Marine Mammal Science indicates that the whale previously known as the Bryde’s (pronounced “broodus”) whale is actually a new whale species living in the Gulf of Mexico. The new species is now called the Rice's whale.

New species of baleen whale discovered in the Gulf of Mexico

February 3, 2021

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A 2021 article in Marine Mammal Science indicates that the whale previously known as the Bryde’s (pronounced “broodus”) whale is actually a new whale species living in the Gulf of Mexico. The new species is now called the Rice's whale.

NOAA Fisheries scientists recently discovered and described a new species of comb jelly, or ctenophore. It was first seen during a 2015 dive with the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research team. (Photo captured April 10, 2015. Location: Arecibo Amphitheater, Puerto Rico Trench.)

NOAA scientists virtually discover new species of comb jelly near Puerto Rico

November 23, 2020

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NOAA Fisheries scientists recently discovered and described a new species of comb jelly, or ctenophore. It was first seen during a 2015 dive with the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research team. (Photo captured April 10, 2015. Location: Arecibo Amphitheater, Puerto Rico Trench.)

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