Coastal & Marine Geography (COMA) of AAG

: Alaska's "Golden Orb" Identified

Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Smithsonian Museum of Natural History have finally identified the "golden orb" discovered and retrieved from the Gulf of Alaska. The gold-colored blob was found around two miles deep by a robot in 2023 as part of a deep sea survey being run by NOAA. DNA analysis has finally revealed that the golden material is the remaining base of a species of sea anemone - Relicanthus daphneae. The long-tentacled animal is known to inhabit the bottom of the sea around the world, but is not well observed due to the extreme depths it inhabits. Scientists have observed other anemones seated on gold-colored bases, called cuticles, which may be left behind after the animal moves on.

Read more: https://mailchi.mp/americangeo/dailygeo-11828569

This is the greatest number of large whales ever identified in one day in our planet's history. https://bbc.in/4cXEJTd

Strange but true: salmon on co***ne swim a lot more.

But they’re not doing lines in the bathroom—they’re part of a new study. This sounds like an odd thing to research, but co***ne and its metabolites—along with other drugs and pharmaceuticals—are widespread in the environment, mainly from human wastewater. And scientists are working to understand how such substances might affect wildlife. http://spklr.io/6044EKEo

Did you know that NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) manages and operates NOAA's fleet of 10 specialized environmental data-collecting aircraft and 15 research and survey ships — including NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer?

The experience, expertise, and professionalism of the NOAA Corps officers and civilian professional mariners who operate Okeanos Explorer are fundamental to the mission of ocean exploration and the success of every expedition.

In celebration of , learn more about OMAO and its fleet of science-dedicated ships and aircraft here: https://www.omao.noaa.gov/NOAAFleetWeek

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

The epic "Blue Marble" photo from the spaceship vantage: Apollo 17 taken in 1972, and the Artemis II image just taken in 2026.

AAG 2026 is almost here. The list of COMA sponsored sessions is now available on our website at http://www.aagcoma.org

Signs of spring, currents bring these mysterious beasts related to the jellyfish in from the central Pacific to Pacific Northwest beaches in March, they start appearing in northern California in April. Can you name them?