Collected Sample
Underwater Mystery
A side view of the probable marine mollusk found in Arguello Canyon. Researchers found this organism on a rocky, muddy seafloor alongside a crab, clams and brittle stars.
Unraveled Orb
Researchers were stumped upon first encountering the orb through the cameras of their remotely operated vehicle Hercules. Onboard, the bumpy sphere relaxed into a lobular, slug-like form. [Read the full story on the purple orb]
Purple Brain?
The mystery purple blob awaits analysis in a tank aboard the E/V Nautilus. Live-streaming of the expedition allows the public to follow along with science in action, Ocean Exploration Trust founder and president Robert Ballard said in a statement.
"Lewis and Clark traveled for more than two years and had to wait to return home to share what they'd seen. Now, the moment a discovery is made, scientists can virtually step aboard the ship and share findings in real time as well as help direct the minute-by- minute operations," Ballard said. "This is a voyage of discovery everyone can make." [Read the full story on the purple orb]
