In 1994, astronomers watched in awe as the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 crashed into the planet Jupiter, creating massive fireballs exploding with the force of six million megatons of TNT—equivalent to 600 times the world’s nuclear arsenal. What would have … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Samuel F.B. Morse was originally a painter, and a good one. His portraits still rank among the finest produced in the US. However, he is best remembered for having developed the telegraph and the code of dots and dashes that bears his name. In 1844, Morse demonstrated the practicability of his instrument to Congress by transmitting the famous message “What hath God wrought” over a wire from Washington, DC, to Baltimore. Morse was also instrumental in introducing what other innovation to the US? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
According to Hindu mythology, the Ganges River in India originally flowed only in heaven. In the form of a goddess, Ganga, the river was brought down to earth by King Bhagiratha in order to purify the ashes of his ancestors, 60,000 of whom had been burned under a curse from the great sage Kapila. On Ganga Dussehra, the 10th day of the waxing half of the month of Jyestha, Hindus able to reach the Ganges take a dip in the river to purify their sins and remedy their physical ills. Those who live far away from the Ganges immerse themselves in whatever river, pond, or sea they can get to on this day. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Now regarded as the founder of pediatric cardiology, Taussig was an American physician who, among other things, revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of “blue babies,” babies whose heart malformations cause low blood oxygen content. She pioneered the use of fluoroscopy to identify defects in the heart and great vessels and devised a surgical treatment with Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas that saved thousands of infants. She also helped block the approval of what dangerous drug in the US? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Dating to at least 1785, the term “jiffy” is used informally to refer to any unspecified short period of time, often the brief moment it will take to finish a task. Certain fields of science use the word technically to denote a specific unit of time—typically a fraction of a second. In electronics, for example, a jiffy is defined as the time between alternating current power cycles. In computing, a jiffy is the duration of one tick of the system timer interrupt. What is a jiffy in astrophysics? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (adjective) Lacking foresight or scope.
Synonyms: unforesightful, myopic, short.
Usage: The shortsighted board members derided the plan, which would cost the company money at the outset but could set it on track to earn billions in future years.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Growing up is hard to do in the Universe. In the great gravitational dance of the cosmos, it’s the biggest, most massive seeds that usually emerge victorious: attracting more and more matter towards them from whatever’s around. In a molecular cloud that … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Regardless of whether one considers professional wrestling a sport or merely choreographed entertainment, one cannot deny that wrestlers often risk serious injury in the ring. High-flying stunts and feats of flamboyant showmanship are now par for the course. Tragically, the dangerous nature of wrestling was graphically illustrated in 1999, when Hart, one of professional wrestling’s most respected stars, was killed during a live event. The tragedy unfolded when what stunt went horribly wrong? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
This is a raucous salute in Bishop, California, to that workhorse of the ages, the mule. Mule Days was started in 1969 by mule-packers who wanted to have a good time and initiate their summer packing season. Now about 50,000 people show up in Bishop for the celebration. A highlight is the Saturday morning 250-unit parade, billed as the world’s largest non-motorized parade. Other events include mule-shoeing contests and such muleback cowboy events as steer roping and barrel racing. There are also mule shows and sales, western art, barbecues, and country dances. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
One of the most influential American literary personalities of her day, Fuller was a critic, teacher, and woman of letters. She was an ardent feminist, and her Woman in the Nineteenth Century is now considered a classic piece of feminist literature. While working in Italy as a foreign correspondent, Fuller met and married a marquis. Exiled for their support of the failed 1848-49 revolution, they sailed for the US with their infant son. What disaster befell them at the end of their voyage? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary