Scientists have detected a cosmic “pileup” of galaxies in the early Universe. Imaged almost at the boundary of the observable Universe, the 14 unusually bright objects are on a collision course, set to form one massive galaxy. This will in turn serve … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
In 1961, 23 days after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American to be launched into space. Shepard’s suborbital flight—part of the US space program Project Mercury—reached a height of 115 miles (185 km). He performed several maneuvers of his capsule, Freedom 7, but returned after only a 15-minute flight. Although Gagarin was the first human in space, Shepard was the first to return in what way? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The Effutu people of Winneba, Ghana, celebrate the Deer-Hunting Festival by making an offering to the god Penkye Otu. Two groups known as the Asafo companies, each consisting of about 150 people, compete in a deer hunt that begins at dawn with the pounding of drums and the ringing of bells. When the first deer is caught, the victorious company brings it back alive and presents it proudly to their chief. Then the animal is taken back to the village, where dancing and drumming continue in an effort to placate Penkye Otu so that he will bring them a bountiful year. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
.png)
The third son of Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I, Leopold II succeeded his father as duke of Tuscany in 1765 and his brother as emperor and ruler of the Hapsburg lands in 1790. A practitioner of what has been termed enlightened despotism, Leopold is remembered as a ruler of outstanding diplomatic and administrative abilities. He was emperor for just two years, but in that time, he precipitated the decade-long French Revolutionary Wars by making an alliance with what power? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Found in waters near Hawaii, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and many other tropical areas, box jellyfish are named for their somewhat cube-shaped bodies but are best known for the extremely powerful venom possessed by some of their species, including Chironex fleckeri and Carukia barnesi, two of the most venomous creatures in the animal kingdom. Stings from such species are excruciatingly painful and often fatal. What animal eats box jellyfish and is unaffected by the venom? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) A macintosh made from cotton fabric treated with oil and pigment to make it waterproof.
Synonyms: oilskin.
Usage: It was pouring all day, but thanks to my new slicker, I stayed nice and dry.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Rearing on its hind legs, the giant ground sloth would have been a formidable prey for anyone, let alone humans without modern weapons. Tightly muscled, angry and swinging its fore legs tipped with wolverine-like claws, it would have been able to … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Accused of the fatal shooting of a Florida Highway Patrol officer and a visiting Canadian constable, Tafero was convicted of murder in 1976 and sentenced to death. His execution by electrocution in 1990 was grisly. Lasting more than 13 minutes, it took three separate jolts of electricity and caused flames to shoot out of his head. Later, the conviction of Tafero’s girlfriend—obtained with the same evidence that implicated Tafero—was overturned, and someone confessed to the murders. Who was it? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia from the USSR is marked as a national public holiday in Latvia every May 4. On that date in 1990, Latvia’s Supreme Court re-declared the country a free democratic parliamentary republic. Following a transitional period, full independence was attained on August 21, 1991. Since 1920, Latvia has been acknowledged continuously by other countries as an independent state, despite occupations by Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1945, and by the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1941 and 1945 to 1991. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
An icon of wilderness living, Proenneke spent 30 years residing alone in a log cabin he built by hand in remote Twin Lakes, Alaska. His three decades of solitude there were, in fact, his retirement years. During his stay, he chronicled his daily life, keeping detailed written journals and filming his activities, like the construction of his cabin, as well as wildlife. Proenneke left Alaska in 1998, at age 82, to live out the remainder of his life with family. What has since become of his cabin? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary