NOAA Ocean Exploration

Most jellyfish float peacefully through the current, waiting for plankton or other food to fall into their tentacles. “Dinner plate” jellies in the genus Solmissus actively hunt other animals, including jellyfish. If you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em!

Maritime heritage resources, like shipwrecks, & their surroundings impact each other. @oceanexplorer is considering collecting archaeological & environmental data at these sites to understand how they change over time & support marine life. Learn more: repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/72836

Teachers heading to the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) Conference in July: There’s still time to register for NOAA Ocean Exploration’s Blue Technology Education Workshop! Details are on our website: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/news/noaa-ocea…

Want to learn more about @oceanexplorer’s recent eDNA data release? Here’s your chance. NOAA Omics & the NOAA Library are hosting a free webinar about the release of these data on Thursday, May 28, 2026, noon EDT. Learn more and register today: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/news/from-seaw…

May 14-June 5, @oceanexplorer & partners will conduct an ROV shakedown expedition off Hawai‘i on #Okeanos. The shakedown will stress test every part of the ROV system & the associated systems to ensure they're ready for the 2026 field season. Learn more: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition/ex2…

What does the bottom of the ocean feel like? Depending on where you dive, you might land on soft clay, boulders, or even an “ooze” of microscopic shells. Learn more in our Ocean Exploration Fact: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/ocean-fact/wha…

June-Oct, #EVNautilus will explore deep-sea habitats in the central & western Pacific, seeking out discoveries & pushing the boundaries of technological innovation. The 2026 Nautilus field season is sponsored primarily by @oceanexplorer through the OECI. oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition/26n…

After a successful mapping shakedown, #okeanos is back in port. Next up, the ROV shakedown around Hawai‘i from May 14-June 6. Yes, that means ROV dives! Stay tuned for more info. Learn about the mapping shakedown: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition/ex2…

Get ready for a year of groundbreaking ocean exploration! In 2026, @oceanexplorer & partners will explore unknown areas of our ocean (and a lake!), using innovative tools to make discoveries of scientific, economic, & cultural value. Read about our plans: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition-202…

Reminder! Tomorrow, May 6th at 3pm ET is our Ocean Exploration seminar: Interdisciplinary and Community Inclusive Approaches to Submerged WWII Heritage Research in the Pacific Register: vimeo.com/event/5468863

The ocean is full of secrets, and #eDNA is helping scientists solve them. @oceanexplorer has released the 1st eDNA data from expeditions on #okeanos, yielding a wealth of information about life in the deep sea. Learn more about the data release: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/news/from-data…

This Wednesday, join technical divers aboard NOAA Ship Nancy Foster as they discuss their current expedition to restore mesophotic coral ecosystems. Learn about the tools, talent, & teamwork that go into a successful restoration dive May 6 at 3pm ET: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/news/mdbc-live…

This shell-bearing anemone builds a shell that grows along with its host hermit crab! In exchange for the permanent shell, the anemone gets a home and free transport to new food sources. We found this pair during an expedition in 2025: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition/ex2…

Join us next week to hear about research on submerged World War II maritime heritage sites! The seminar will be held on May 6 from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register here: vimeo.com/event/5468863

Ready to dive deep into Alaska's mysteries? Tomorrow, April 30 at 4 pm ET, join us for a webinar revealing amazing deep-sea discoveries from the 2023 Seascape Alaska expeditions: vimeo.com/event/5841177/… (And yes, the "golden orb" will be discussed!)

This May, bring the beauty of the deep sea to your screen with this stunning basket star! This unique creature is a type of brittle star that uses its complex, branching arms to filter food from deep-sea currents. Get it here: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/multimedia/cal…

This week, the 2026 field season on #Okeanos will begin with a mapping shakedown expedition off Hawai‘i focused on calibrating, evaluating the performance of, & preparing the mapping systems for the mapping & ROV expeditions to follow. Learn more: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition/ex2…

What name would you give this deep-sea animal? The sea cucumber Enypniastes eximia has been called the “headless chicken monster” and the “Spanish dancer.” Learn more in our new Ocean Exploration Fact: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/ocean-fact/wha…

The science -- and excitement -- of discovery: Scientists reveal identity of mysterious ‘golden orb’ collected during NOAA expedition Check out our special #EarthDayNOAA feature story: noaa.gov/news/scientist… via @NOAAResearch & NOAA @oceanexplorer #GoldenOrb

The Autonomous, Directional Acoustic Profiling Float for Soundscape Characterization doesn't just listen to the ocean - it runs on it! By enabling long-term exploration of ocean soundscapes, this float can help us better understand & care for our ocean. oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition/24a…