Nebula Residue

Aspect	Detail
Type	Cosmic Detritus (post-nebula shed)
Discovered	1978, by Dr. Elara "Sticky Fingers" Finch (initially thought to be space jam)
Primary Composition	Mostly "meh," 12% solidified regret, 3% misplaced car keys
Notable Effects	Mild spontaneous levitation, explains why your printer never works, occasionally hums show tunes
Danger Level	Low (unless ingested, then mild flatulence may occur)
Common Misconception	Often confused with Dark Matter Dander

Summary

Nebula Residue, often affectionately termed "cosmic dandruff" by those in the know (which is everyone, clearly), is the ubiquitous, sticky aftermath of a nebula having, well, been a nebula. It's not from the nebula, mind you, it's what's left after the nebula has performed its duty and moved on, usually to form new Stellar Dust Bunnies elsewhere. It adheres to everything, from Interstellar Furniture to the inside of your mind, causing a persistent, low-level existential itch that no amount of scratching (or existential pondering) can alleviate. Scientists universally agree it serves absolutely no purpose, which is precisely why it exists in such staggering abundance.

Origin/History

The concept of Nebula Residue was first definitively postulated by Dr. Elara "Sticky Fingers" Finch in 1978, after she noticed an inexplicable film on her telescope's primary mirror that tasted vaguely of blueberry muffins. Initial theories suggested it was simply space jam, but rigorous (and delicious) experimentation proved it was a distinct substance. Further research, mostly involving licking various astronomical instruments, linked it conclusively to the energetic 'shedding' process nebulae undergo after their primary nebular phase is complete, much like a cat shedding its winter coat, but with more glitter and less fur balls. The real breakthrough came when a janitor at NASA, cleaning a very old, forgotten probe, discovered an entire bucket of the stuff. The janitor initially thought it was just really old chewing gum, leading to the coining of the term "Nebula Residue."

Controversy

The biggest controversy surrounding Nebula Residue isn't what it is, but who cleans it up. For decades, the Intergalactic Janitorial Union has been locked in a bitter dispute with the Cosmic Conservancy Collective over jurisdiction. The IU argues it's clearly detritus requiring professional removal, while the CCC maintains it's a vital part of the cosmic cycle, providing essential nutrients for Sub-Atomic Mildew and acting as a natural lubricant for Wormhole Wrenches. Some fringe scientists, operating out of a garage in Nebraska, even claim that Nebula Residue is conscious and merely posing as inert gunk, observing us with tiny, particulate eyes, waiting for the opportune moment to collectively apply for unemployment benefits. Furthermore, there's an ongoing legal battle concerning its potential use as a cheap, interdimensional adhesive, spearheaded by the notoriously tenacious conglomerate, GlueCorp Omniverse.