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January 5, 2021: Brittle Star

A close-up image of an ophiuroid (brittle star) hanging on a sea pen, which is an octocoral colony. In the image, you can see the polyps of the sea pen are extended, as are the tube feet of the brittle star. The duo was imaged on the final dive of the Our Deepwater Backyard: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts 2014 expedition, during the first-ever exploration of Nantucket Canyon starting at a depth of 1,872 meters (6,141 feet).

Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Our Deepwater Backyard: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts 2014. Download larger version (jpg, 1.3 MB).

A close-up image of an ophiuroid (brittle star) hanging on a sea pen, which is an octocoral colony. In the image, you can see the polyps of the sea pen are extended, as are the tube feet of the brittle star. The duo was imaged on the final dive of the Our Deepwater Backyard: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts 2014 expedition, during the first-ever exploration of Nantucket Canyon starting at a depth of 1,872 meters (6,141 feet).