This was 11 years ago now. Do we know what this was?

Possible Explanations for the White Cloud-like Substance

The strange white cloud-like substance that fell in the Middle East, which held its form and could be touched, might have several explanations beyond aerogel. Here’s are a few more that look very similar:

User comment: Weather Channel says its (foam) from nearby chemical waste. There was a problem in India with sweage foam, but this is something else. You can also tell from the video that it is not sea foam, but we will include that to be comprehensive.

What might this ground “cloud” be?

1. Industrial Pollution
Industrial pollution can create fluffy byproducts that resemble cotton candy, making it a prevalent and likely explanation for the observed substance.

2. Electrospun Nanofibers
These nanofibers, produced through electrospinning, can aggregate into a solid, cotton-like material that fits the description of the substance.

3. Synthetic Polymers
Certain synthetic polymers can form lightweight, fluffy structures that resemble clouds and can hold their shape upon settling.

4. Cotton Candy-like Fibers
Synthetic fibers or waste materials from manufacturing processes can resemble cotton candy and may disperse into the air, creating a fluffy appearance.

5. Fire Retardant Chemicals
Materials used in fire suppression can create solid forms that resemble clouds, but their use is typically limited to specific contexts.

6. Biological Material
Fungal spores or other biological materials can aggregate in the atmosphere, presenting as a light, fluffy substance that can be touched and manipulated.

7. Snow or Ice Crystals
While snowflakes can cluster into solid masses, they typically do not maintain a solid form long enough to match the described substance.

8. Sea Foam
Sea foam forms from the agitation of seawater and can create a solid mass, but it is less likely to be the source of the observed substance due to its transient nature.

9. Soap Bubbles
Soap bubbles can form cloud-like forms that float in the air, although they do not typically last as long as is seen in the video, since the individual bubbles that make them up pop and the form dissolves.

10. Atmospheric Phenomena
Rare phenomena, such as “frozen fog,” can create solid, cloud-like structures but are not commonly observed and may not fit the description of the substance.

11. Ice Nuclei from Cloud Seeding
While cloud seeding can produce ice nuclei, these typically do not form solid structures that can be touched and manipulated, making them the least likely explanation.

This countdown reflects the likelihood of each explanation based on the described behavior of the substance and its physical properties, ending with industrial pollution as the most plausible source.

Conclusion

While the exact nature of the substance remains uncertain, these possibilities provide a range of explanations for the white cloud-like material observed in the Middle East.