Strange 'slime' baffles workers at nature reserve

[treesparrow]

When I first saw this report -

Weird jelly-like substance found at the RSPB Ham Wall Nature reserve in Somerset in baffling staff.

The jelly-like substance has been found at the RSPB Ham Wall Nature reserve in Somerset. As yet the mystery slime has not been identified.

Steve Hughes, the RSPB site manager at Ham Wall, said: "This past week we've been finding piles of this translucent jelly dotted around the reserve.

"Always on grass banks away from the water's edge. They are usually about 10cm (4in) in diameter. We've asked experts what it might be, but as yet no one is really sure. Whatever it is, it's very weird."

Scientific speculation as to the nature of the jelly is varied.

One of the more favoured explanations is that it is a form of cyanobacteria called Nostoc.

Some, however, suggest that it is the remains of the regurgitated innards of amphibians such as frogs and toads and of their spawn.

Alternatively, it may be related to the intriguingly named crystal brain fungus.

Tony Whitehead, an RSPB spokesman for the South West, said: "Although we don't know what it actually is, similar substances have been described previously.

"In records dating back to the 14th Century it's known variously as star jelly, astral jelly or astromyxin. In folklore it is said to be deposited in the wake of meteor showers."

Mr Whitehead added: "It's great that in this day and age that there are still mysteries out there. We've read a few articles now and much speculation.

"One suggested it was neither animal nor plant, and another that it didn't contain DNA, although it does give the appearance of something 'living'.

"Our reserve team will be looking out for the slime over the next few days, but if anyone can offer any explanations we'd be glad to hear."

The public are being warned not to touch the mystery substance, and to inform nature reserve staff.

_http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/9877822/Strange-slime-baffles-workers-at-nature-reserve.html

I wondered if it might be related in anyway to this event which happened within roughly the same time frame and district.

Mystery of Somerset 'meteor' still no closer to being solved

Mystery still surrounds the origin of a fireball-like object photographed in the sky above a nature reserve in Somerset.

Wildlife photographer Annie Henderson took the photos over the Avalon Marshes nature reserve at Shapwick Heath on February 6.

In the pictures, the distant light appears to be burning with flaming gases shooting off its form.

After first appearing on This is Somerset on Friday, the photos have become a worldwide talking point online over the weekend.


The story later appeared on the Mail Online, with more than 150 visitors leaving comments.

Some believe it was a meteorite similar to the one that hit Russia on Friday morning, injuring more than 900 people.

Less dramatic suggestions include a Chinese lantern, or a firework or miniature rocket.

Other visitors believe it could be a plane with the setting sun reflecting off jet trails, or a satellite burning up on re-entry into the atmosphere.

Annie said: "We were out photographing the starlings at 5.25pm and saw the bright thing in the sky, but thought it was just a high flying plane or a satellite.

"It was only the next morning that I uploaded the pictures on my computer and saw what was on the pictures when I zoomed in."

Annie, who is a wildlife photographer, only had a small lens with her for her Sony DSLR camera.

But she still managed to pick out the strange shape in the sky.

_http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Mystery-Somerset-meteor-closer-solved/story-18182324-detail/story.html#axzz2LHII1Na7

Just an odd coincidence? Or maybe not? Anyway certainly seems mighty, mighty strange.
_

 

[Nook]

A connection is rather possible.

Looking at the dates given, the pictures of the 'strange thing in the sky' were taken on the 6th of February
and the slime report is dated on the 18th saying that it's been around for about a week.

Also this is interesting:

"In records dating back to the 14th Century it's known variously as star jelly, astral jelly or astromyxin. In folklore it is said to be deposited in the wake of meteor showers."

The slime looks like pure plasma or possibly a plasmoid life force? To me at least.

 

[Palinurus]

For some strange reason I was reminded of a quote from Laura's Noah Syndrome:

Throughout the world, small groups of people survived the disaster and even they might have perished had it not been for the gift of the comet: Manna. The hydrocarbons in the comet’s tail that had saturated the earth were now being slowly changed within the earth’s atmosphere into an edible substance. It made survival possible. In Iceland, India, Greece and other places all around the world, there are legends of the ambrosia, manna, madhu, and sweet dew, which fell from the heavens to the earth.

It may have nothing to do with the slime, though; nevertheless I thought I should mention it regardless. ;)

 

[Voyageur]

"In records dating back to the 14th Century it's known variously as star jelly, astral jelly or astromyxin. In folklore it is said to be deposited in the wake of meteor showers."

The slime looks like pure plasma or possibly a plasmoid life force? To me at least.
[/quote]

Had to look this up (astromyxin):

_https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_jelly

Star Jelly

“Star jelly” (also called astromyxin, astral jelly, pwdr sêr, star rot, or star shot) is a gelatinous substance that, according to folklore, is deposited on the earth during meteor showers.[1][2] Today, it is generally believed to be nostoc.

Star jelly is described as a translucent or grayish-white gelatin that tends to evaporate shortly after having “fallen.”[3] Explanations have ranged from the material's being the remains of frogs, toads, or worms, to the byproducts of cyanobacteria, to the paranormal.[2][4][5][6]

Reports of the substance date back to the 14th century and have continued to the present day.[6][7]

Which brings up Nostoc - was surprised to see who coined the word:

Nostoc

_https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostoc

Nostoc is a genus of cyanobacteria found in a variety of environmental niches that forms colonies composed of filaments of moniliform cells in a gelatinous sheath.

The name "Nostoc" was invented by Paracelsus.[1] It derives from the ancient Greek word "nόsos" (νόσος, "disease" or "sickness").

Nostoc can be found in soil, on moist rocks, at the bottom of lakes and springs (both fresh- and saltwater), and rarely in marine habitats. It may also grow symbiotically within the tissues of plants, such as the evolutionarily ancient angiosperm Gunnera and the hornworts (a group of bryophytes), providing nitrogen to its host through the action of terminally differentiated cells known as heterocysts. These bacteria contain photosynthetic pigments in their cytoplasm to perform photosynthesis.

I've made note of some of these substances (fresh water and forests) before. In some cases the substances were known fungi, either from decay in wood fiber or even in soils. Have definitely seen ditch lines full of jelly like substances which was from common frog egg laying.

Not sure what this substance could be in the article, yet though the references were interesting, including Paracelsus on Nostoc.

Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 8431]

Very interesting find!

“Star jelly” (also called astromyxin, astral jelly, pwdr sêr, star rot, or star shot) is a gelatinous substance that, according to folklore, is deposited on the earth during meteor showers.[1][2] Today, it is generally believed to be nostoc.

Nortroc?

Nostoc is a genus of cyanobacteria found in a variety of environmental niches that forms colonies composed of filaments of moniliform cells in a gelatinous sheath.

Cyanobacteria?

Throughout the world, small groups of people survived the disaster and even they might have perished had it not been for the gift of the comet: Manna. The hydrocarbons in the comet’s tail that had saturated the earth were now being slowly changed within the earth’s atmosphere into an edible substance. It made survival possible. In Iceland, India, Greece and other places all around the world, there are legends of the ambrosia, manna, madhu, and sweet dew, which fell from the heavens to the earth.

Edible substance?

Microalgae contain substances of high biological value, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, amino acids (proteins), pigments, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.[33] Edible blue-green algae reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting NF-κB pathway in macrophages and splenocytes.[34] Consumption of edible blue green algae may also reduce risks of cataracts and age related macular degeneration.[35] It has also shown mitigative effects in animal models of non-alcohol related liver disease, such as steatohepatitis,[36] and Parkinson's disease.[37] Sulfate polysaccharides exhibit immunomodulatory, antitumor, antithrombotic, anticoagulant, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and even antiviral activity against HIV, herpes, and hepatitis.[38] They also improve insulin resistance in HIV.[39] They also protect against aflatoxin and cisplatin chemotherapy induced liver damage.[40][41] These positive health benefits must be distinguished from non-edible species of algae, which are detrimental to health.[42]

I know some people take cyanobacteria as a supplement. Now I'm not suggesting at all we should but you know, back in those days they may have eaten it and it could have helped them (in the case there wasn't anything else).

Of course I'm just speculating but that's what came to my mind after reading this topic.

FWIT, a quick image also came to my mind. Cyanobacteria are said to be precursors to life so the image of a precursor to life coming down from the skies just before a precursor to death kind of made me think (kind of like a message from the Universe or something). Of course, that's just a thought.

Peace.

 

[Yupo]

Some star jelly is reported today in coastal Alabama by my sister. Anyone else seeing any?
There were a lot of fireballs yesterday. I didn't see that any were reported on the gulf coast.