Comments on: Strange blue gelatinous balls fall from sky http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 06:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Warren http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1333888 Warren Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1333888 Precisely my thought. That would explain why they were in his garden, too. Maybe his wife/lover/SO/housekeeper had a vaseful of them, and dropped a few while picking flowers. Precisely my thought. That would explain why they were in his garden, too. Maybe his wife/lover/SO/housekeeper had a vaseful of them, and dropped a few while picking flowers.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1333796 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1333796 From Cornish pixies? From Cornish pixies?

]]> By: CLamb http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1333650 CLamb Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1333650 Why do so many unusual things happen in Bournemouth?  Does the council go looking for them? Why do so many unusual things happen in Bournemouth?  Does the council go looking for them?

]]> By: yobar http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1333571 yobar Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1333571 I swear, England's always having some kind of weird shit fall on it! I swear, England’s always having some kind of weird shit fall on it!

]]> By: Stanley Potemkin http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1333275 Stanley Potemkin Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1333275 Unwanted breast implants? Unwanted breast implants?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1333138 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1333138 I'm thinking that a rainbow gave a flying unicorn a pearl necklace. I’m thinking that a rainbow gave a flying unicorn a pearl necklace.

]]> By: tmccartney66 http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1333118 tmccartney66 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1333118 Here's a picture of mine.  Working theory was Orbeez. Here’s a picture of mine.  Working theory was Orbeez.

]]> By: tmccartney66 http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1333111 tmccartney66 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1333111 I found one of those on my sidewalk (southern US) several months ago.  I never did figure out what it was. I found one of those on my sidewalk (southern US) several months ago.  I never did figure out what it was.

]]> By: robdobbs http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332832 robdobbs Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332832 Exactly the same product as the first post Exactly the same product as the first post

]]> By: James B http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332785 James B Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332785 My theory is that those are "Aqua Pearls".  There are pictures of blue ones on eBay UK.  But why are they in the sky?  I think they may have been used in an agricultural application to aid in water retention.  They could have dried out, and been blown/sucked airborne, or a crop duster was dropping them on a field and they were blown off course.  Or maybe they were already on the ground, and swelled from the falling rain, giving the appearance of falling from the sky. I don't buy the airplane blue water theory.  I have heard a firsthand story from somebody that services lavs, and when that blue water freezes, it freezes solid.  When the frozen plug is manually removed from the service port, bad things are behind it. My theory is that those are “Aqua Pearls”.  There are pictures of blue ones on eBay UK. 

But why are they in the sky?  I think they may have been used in an agricultural application to aid in water retention.  They could have dried out, and been blown/sucked airborne, or a crop duster was dropping them on a field and they were blown off course.  Or maybe they were already on the ground, and swelled from the falling rain, giving the appearance of falling from the sky.

I don’t buy the airplane blue water theory.  I have heard a firsthand story from somebody that services lavs, and when that blue water freezes, it freezes solid.  When the frozen plug is manually removed from the service port, bad things are behind it.

]]> By: V http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332724 V Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332724 "The transmission of eggs on birds' feet is well documented and I guess if a bird was caught out in a storm this could be the cause."  At least it wasn't coconuts... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzcLQRXW6B0 “The transmission of eggs on birds’ feet is well documented and I guess if a bird was caught out in a storm this could be the cause.” 

At least it wasn’t coconuts…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzcLQRXW6B0

]]> By: Shibi_SF http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332712 Shibi_SF Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332712 Make sure to take shelter and DO NOT LOOK at the meteor shower! Make sure to take shelter and DO NOT LOOK at the meteor shower!

]]> By: Gyrofrog http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332702 Gyrofrog Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332702 I recall such an explanation in 'The Straight Dope', a while back. I recall such an explanation in ‘The Straight Dope’, a while back.

]]> By: obeyken http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332684 obeyken Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332684 Let this serve as proof to those who still insist that blue balls are a myth. Let this serve as proof to those who still insist that blue balls are a myth.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332665 Guest Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332665 I'm waiting for the triffids to start popping up this spring.  I’m waiting for the triffids to start popping up this spring. 

]]> By: Jerril http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332643 Jerril Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332643 They'd fall from the sky for the same reason that frogs and fish fall from the sky - they got sucked up in a whirlwind/tornado from ground level. A gardening center or a gardener's yard (or the open bed of a pickup truck, or a shed, or whatever) getting hit would be a great place for them to come from. They’d fall from the sky for the same reason that frogs and fish fall from the sky – they got sucked up in a whirlwind/tornado from ground level. A gardening center or a gardener’s yard (or the open bed of a pickup truck, or a shed, or whatever) getting hit would be a great place for them to come from.

]]> By: Fred kluth http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332631 Fred kluth Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332631 oobleck, definitely Oobleck oobleck, definitely Oobleck

]]> By: Mordicai http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332629 Mordicai Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332629 That is my first thought as well. That is my first thought as well.

]]> By: Bucket http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332620 Bucket Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332620 http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/06/video-review-xploderz-blaster-guns-fall-short-for-summer-fun/ Totally Xploderz ammo. Half the time the ammo winds up breaking in the barrel and what comes out looks exactly like the picture above. When they dry out they turn into tiny bb-sized balls. They could have actually been in his garden for a while and only been re-hydrated by the rain. And I just checked, they are available in the UK. ( http://www.xploderz.co.uk/ ) http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/06/video-review-xploderz-blaster-guns-fall-short-for-summer-fun/

Totally Xploderz ammo.

Half the time the ammo winds up breaking in the barrel and what comes out looks exactly like the picture above.

When they dry out they turn into tiny bb-sized balls. They could have actually been in his garden for a while and only been re-hydrated by the rain.

And I just checked, they are available in the UK. ( http://www.xploderz.co.uk/ )

]]> By: N M http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332618 N M Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332618 http://troll.me/images/futurama-fry/cant-tell-if-youre-trolling-or-actually-serious.jpg http://troll.me/images/futurama-fry/cant-tell-if-youre-trolling-or-actually-serious.jpg

]]> By: Smart E Pantz http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332595 Smart E Pantz Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332595 Oobleck, anyone? Oobleck, anyone?

]]> By: chgoliz http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332554 chgoliz Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332554 TYWKIWIDI posted this yesterday, saying the same thing as Gizmodo (that it's the little polymer spheres), but the blue color made me think of the same thing as Hottie below. TYWKIWIDI posted this yesterday, saying the same thing as Gizmodo (that it’s the little polymer spheres), but the blue color made me think of the same thing as Hottie below.

]]> By: Mujokan http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332526 Mujokan Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332526 This was on the BBC too, and apparently Bournemouth University is on the case so it won't be a mystery too much longer. This was on the BBC too, and apparently Bournemouth University is on the case so it won’t be a mystery too much longer.

]]> By: Palefire http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332508 Palefire Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332508 Do not taunt happy fun ball... Do not taunt happy fun ball…

]]> By: cubby96 http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332482 cubby96 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332482 On another blog, it has been suggested that these are ammunition from a children's toy gun line called "Xploderz." On another blog, it has been suggested that these are ammunition from a children’s toy gun line called “Xploderz.”

]]> By: Chicago_SC http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332469 Chicago_SC Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332469 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtm8w3o63AA That's not a meteor that's a Boeing bomb. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtm8w3o63AA

That’s not a meteor that’s a Boeing bomb.

]]> By: Robert Cruickshank http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332468 Robert Cruickshank Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332468 Isn't that polymer the similar to that used in disposable diapers, and maxi-pads and such? That would plausibly explain how it got into the aircraft toilet.  Or maybe a waterspout hit a bubble-tea stand.  Isn’t that polymer the similar to that used in disposable diapers, and maxi-pads and such? That would plausibly explain how it got into the aircraft toilet.  Or maybe a waterspout hit a bubble-tea stand. 

]]> By: beemoh http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332442 beemoh Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332442 There's been a post on Gizmodo in the last few hours which backs that up, too. There’s been a post on Gizmodo in the last few hours which backs that up, too.

]]> By: Hottie http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332438 Hottie Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332438 They are more likely partially solidified waste from aircraft lavatories, which might explain their "falling from the sky."  At any rate, I would discard the jam jars and tidy up the fridge a bit. They are more likely partially solidified waste from aircraft lavatories, which might explain their “falling from the sky.”  At any rate, I would discard the jam jars and tidy up the fridge a bit.

]]> By: phisrow http://boingboing.net/2012/01/30/strange-blue-gelatinous-balls.html#comment-1332431 phisrow Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141353#comment-1332431 There would be no reason I can think of for them to be falling from the sky; but that also looks pretty much exactly like a broken sample of the little hydrophilic polymer spheres one can purchase for assorted amusement/plant nurturing. http://www.teachersource.com/Chemistry/GroBeastsPolymers/GrowingSpheresThreeSizes.aspx Distinguishing between polyacrylamide and biological goo wouldn't be very difficult, and the latter has greater reason to be out in nature in quantity; but it's visually quite a good match... There would be no reason I can think of for them to be falling from the sky; but that also looks pretty much exactly like a broken sample of the little hydrophilic polymer spheres one can purchase for assorted amusement/plant nurturing.

http://www.teachersource.com/Chemistry/GroBeastsPolymers/GrowingSpheresThreeSizes.aspx

Distinguishing between polyacrylamide and biological goo wouldn’t be very difficult, and the latter has greater reason to be out in nature in quantity; but it’s visually quite a good match…

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