The sun star, Solaster stimpsoni, is found only south of the Alaska Peninsula, from Kodiak Island, Alaska, to Oregon. It is found from the intertidal zone to 60 meters on mud, cobble, or steep rock faces. Their distinctive color, reddish orange with purple or deep red centers to their 9-10 rays, and the thick paxillae or paving stone like structures on the rays, distinguish them from S. endeca. It feeds on sea cucumbers.

Scientific name: Greek sol (sun) and aster (a star).

Digital photo by Jan Haaga. References (a complete list) in the text include: Kessler (1985) or Barr (1983).

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