thedailywhat:

Orange Goo of the Day: Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say they have identified the mysterious orange goo that washed up on the shores of a small Alaskan village 625 miles northwest of Anchorage.

The rust-colored substance that showed up last week near the village of Kivalina (pop. 425) has stumped the local whaling community and made international headlines, with many suspecting a man-made pollutant.

But researchers in Juneau say the goo is actually a clutch of microscopic eggs.

“We now think these are some sort of small crustacean egg or embryo, with a lipid oil droplet in the middle causing the orange color,” said the lab’s lead scientist Jeep Rice.

Additional testing will be required to determine which animal the roe belongs to.

Out: Fear of an environmental disaster. In: Fear of an alien invasion.

[latimes / ap / nydn.]

That’s what Aperture Science wants you to think it is, sure.