News

News and information updates from NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners.

Ocean exploration is a dynamic and exciting field. New discoveries and explorations, advances in technology, and important findings in deep-ocean science happen all of the time. Below, you’ll find stories highlighting news and information from NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners, including recent accomplishments and announcements as well as information about upcoming events and activities.

Okeanosaster hohonui represents a new genus and a new species and has a different structure than other sea stars in the family Goniasteridae seen at similar depths. It was named to honor NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. “Hohonu,” the Hawaiian word for deep, refers to the great depth at which the sea star was seen. The new sea star, seen here in the Musicians Seamounts in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Monument, was documented at depths ranging from 1,743 to 3,304 meters (1.1 to 2.1 miles).
DiscoveryPublication
Seeing Stars: New Sea Stars Brought to Light During NOAA Ocean Exploration’s Pacific Campaign
In a new article in the scientific journal Zootaxa, Christopher L. Mah describes 20 species of previously undescribed sea stars, including 12 species and 3 genera that are new to science.
July 13, 2022
Three examples of bathymetric 3D models of seafloor structures created by students using laser technology in Emily McAfee’s marine biology class. Models include deep-sea ridges, canyons, and seamounts.
Education
Students in the Midwest Dive Deep into Marine Biology
A project update from Butler County High School (Kentucky), a recipient of an Ocean Exploration Education grant to build capacity for ocean literacy and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce development.
July 11, 2022
This schematic illustrates how the project team will use an autonomous underwater vehicle to collect seafloor data using coordinated multibeam sonars.
Opportunity
NOAA Ocean Exploration Awards $4 Million to Advance Ocean Knowledge
Through the Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Funding Opportunity, NOAA Ocean Exploration selected eight projects for financial support totaling approximately $3.6 million.
July 1, 2022
All NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer mapping data collected in the Blake Plateau and Ridge region by NOAA Ocean Exploration since 2010.
Discovery
Mapping the Gaps in Our Ocean Knowledge with Seabed 2030
This week, NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad signed a memorandum of understanding at the United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) that outlines U.S. participation in Seabed 2030. The MOU also describes best practices and protocols for this type of data collection and is expected to build positive collaboration between all involved countries and partners.
June 23, 2022
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer FY23 and FY24 U.S. West Coast and Alaska Expeditions
Opportunity
Call for Input: NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer FY23 and FY24 U.S. West Coast and Alaska Expeditions
As part of our community-driven exploration model, NOAA Ocean Exploration invites you to submit exploration recommendations for mapping, remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) operations for Fiscal Years (FY) 2023 and 2024 on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer off the U.S. West Coast and Alaska.
May 26, 2022
The “Marine World Magnified” and “Fintastic Faces” stations featured microscopes for students to examine the intricate skeletons of coral and the larval form of many local fish species. Students were then challenged to match the larval form to the adult fish in a game of “what will I become?”
Education
Ocean Exploration Education Mini-Grants Support “Ocean Explorers” Event for South Florida Students
On Earth Day (April 22, 2022), the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) hosted an “Ocean Explorers” event for about 100 middle and high school students from under-resourced schools in Miami, Florida.
May 10, 2022
Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer is skillfully piloted from shore over a boulder field in a canyon on the West Florida Shelf in the Straits of Florida during Dive 06 of the 2022 ROV and Mapping Shakedown.
Discovery
Shoreside ROV Piloting Narrows Gap Between Ship and Shore
During a recent expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, an engineer on shore, over a thousand miles away from the ship, successfully piloted a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to explore the deep ocean. A first for NOAA Ocean Exploration and the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration, this test of piloting an ROV from shore opens new possibilities for deep-ocean exploration.
May 4, 2022
The artifacts shown here, including the tryworks and an anchor, helped confirm that the shipwreck explored during the February 25 dive is likely the remains of Industry, an historically significant 19th century whaler.
DiscoveryMedia Release
NOAA, Partners Discover Wreck of 207-year-old Whaling Ship in Gulf of Mexico
NOAA and partners today announced the discovery of the wreck of a 207-year-old whaling ship, called Industry, found on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.
March 23, 2022
Jeremy Weirich joins NOAA Ocean Exploration as new director.
Event
New NOAA Ocean Exploration Director Announced
On March 14, NOAA Ocean Exploration will welcome Jeremy Weirich as the new office director.
February 28, 2022
This yellowfin flagfish was photographed between a colony of lace corals during a 2018 expedition to collect information on unknown and poorly understood deepwater areas surrounding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Discovery
Successful Multiyear Effort to Study Deep-Sea Corals and Sponges in the Southeast United States
NOAA’s Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program has completed its multiyear highly collaborative effort known as the Southeast Deep Coral Initiative.
January 26, 2022
Deep Ocean Education Project
Education
The Deep Ocean Education Project Website Earns Gold
The Deep Ocean Education Project website was recently awarded a MarCom Gold Award in the Pro Bono category of the International Competition for Marketing & Communication Professionals.
January 25, 2022
Educators engage during a USNA/NOAA Ocean Exploration cooperative Engineering to Explore the Ocean professional development workshop.
EducationOpportunity
Ocean Exploration Education Grants Announced
NOAA Ocean Exploration and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation have awarded seven education grants to help engage and inspire the next generation of ocean explorers by supporting efforts related to ocean literacy, stewardship, and workforce development.
January 19, 2022
Person looking at large-scale bathymetry images. Image courtesy of the Inner Space Center
Event
NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute Webinar Series Available for Viewing
Throughout Fall 2021, as part of the NOAA Science Seminar Series, the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) presented a six-part series of virtual public seminars to introduce the OECI. Recordings of each seminar are available for viewing.
January 11, 2022
2021 NOAA Ocean Exploration interns during a conference call with NOAA Research leadership.
EducationOpportunity
2022 Explorer-in-Training Program Application Period Now Open
The application for the 2022 Explorer-in-Training Program is now open!
January 7, 2022
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