Marine biologists discover mysterious 'golden egg' at ocean floor

(Patria) - Marine biologists on board the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) vessel off the coast of Alaska have discovered an unusual object that looks like a golden "egg".

Researchers admit they don't know what it is and have shared a picture taken during a live broadcast from the deep sea on social media.

"This golden orb, possibly a casing or egg, has captured many imaginations yesterday," NOAA wrote.

The image shows a round, spongy mass with a hole in it.

According to the Miami Herald, one researcher on board said during the live broadcast that "something tried to get in... or out".

"The shimmering golden blob remains unidentified," reported NOAA, which is currently conducting a five-month deep-sea exploration near Alaska, according to Index.

The crew of 48 is equipped with deep-sea imaging equipment and data collection tools, which are shared in real-time with researchers on land.

"It's so exciting to go down there and see that everything is actually teeming with life. You would never know that unless you went down and explored it," said expedition coordinator Shannon Hoy.

Researchers on the vessel "Okeanos Explorer" are busy mapping and collecting samples along the Aleutian Trench and the Gulf of Alaska using cameras that can operate at depths of up to 6,000 meters.