quote:

ORIGINAL: midmichiganguy

Following the link, I read the article of course. Then I looked into the comments section there and found a comment by a gentleman that seems to make some sense of this. *shrugs* Whether he is right or not I do not know. But his explanation does seem plausible. Who knows though?

Quote: Fanden, Sunnyvale, CA

"I worked for United Technologies who makes solid-rockets for the shuttle and other propulsion systems for satellites. These spheres are from rockets and satellite motor control systems. They contained either fuel, or nitrogen or helium which is used to move engine nozzles via pneumatic mechanisms during launch and positioning. One satellite/rocket may have several of these mounted to it. They are usually wrapped in asbestos or fiber-glass fabric for insulation, which has burned off during re-entry. This one likely came from a recent satellite decent into the Earth's atmosphere. Because they are light and empty inside, they may float around up there for months before finally dropping to the ground. They are usually made of stainlees steel or titanium, which is worth some money."

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rule

That is odd.

It is either man made or natural.

If natural, it must be a metallic meteorite. If so, then it took its current shape after the impact landing on Earth. It must have had some chemical composition inside that started a chemical reaction upon impact, producing a large amount of heat and high pressure, sufficient to melt and blow up the outer hull into a spheroid shape.

ETA: Ah, MidMichiganguy quoted a better - man made - explanation.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Duskypearls
With opposing nipples on it?

quote:

ORIGINAL: midmichiganguy

Following the link, I read the article of course. Then I looked into the comments section there and found a comment by a gentleman that seems to make some sense of this. *shrugs* Whether he is right or not I do not know. But his explanation does seem plausible. Who knows though?

Quote: Fanden, Sunnyvale, CA

"I worked for United Technologies who makes solid-rockets for the shuttle and other propulsion systems for satellites. These spheres are from rockets and satellite motor control systems. They contained either fuel, or nitrogen or helium which is used to move engine nozzles via pneumatic mechanisms during launch and positioning. One satellite/rocket may have several of these mounted to it. They are usually wrapped in asbestos or fiber-glass fabric for insulation, which has burned off during re-entry. This one likely came from a recent satellite decent into the Earth's atmosphere. Because they are light and empty inside, they may float around up there for months before finally dropping to the ground. They are usually made of stainlees steel or titanium, which is worth some money."