This basket star was seen attached to this basaltic rocky outcrop during Dive 09 of the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition in Earnest Sound. Basket stars such as this one extend their long, spindly arms into the water column to catch small food particles that drift by. In this shot you can also see a plethora of other species including brittle stars, a large orange sea star, various sponges, a small darkfin sculpin, and brachiopods.
Basket Star
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Seascape Alaska. Download larger version (jpg, 15.3 MB).

This basket star was seen attached to this basaltic rocky outcrop during Dive 09 of the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition in Earnest Sound. Basket stars such as this one extend their long, spindly arms into the water column to catch small food particles that drift by. In this shot you can also see a plethora of other species including brittle stars, a large orange sea star, various sponges, a small darkfin sculpin, and brachiopods.