Background

A cigar-shaped UFO was observed in Memphis, Tennessee in April 2010. The witness claims a jelly-like substance had fallen from the sky after sighting the craft in the sky. The objective is to identify the substance. A photograph of one of the gel samples (#3) is above. It has a clear, colorless appearance.

Conclusions

The jelly-like material is sodium poly(acrylic acid/acrylamide) copolymer and water. This polymer is noted for taking on water many times its own weight. This material has many uses. It is commonly used in agriculture/farming because of its water retaining ability. Several companies distribute this material. One is Hydro-Gel (Finn corporation). It usually comes as a solid and water is added to it.