In my line of business I get the most unusual calls and emails (and I am never sure why they call me, in particular, but I do enjoy a good mystery).  Someone sent me this picture of an object in his possession.  It is made of orange and white plastic with a clear section of presumably polycarbonate.  It has what is obviously a filament/igniter inside and a warning sticker that reads WARNING: TO AVOID SEVERE INJURY, NEVER PLACE ANY PART OF YOUR BODY OVER THE LAUNCH TUBE.

I have posted the picture (temporarily) here: http:​//www.ilpi.com/dchas/mystery.jpg

I asked him where he got it.  He said a homeless person gave it to his wife about 8 months ago.  Beyond their curiosity, there's a safety issue here.

I'm guessing it's something related to model rocketry, meteorology etc.  Doesn't seem to have a military feel to it.  I figure with this many smart people on the list, someone has seen one of them before.

Whaddya think?

Rob Toreki