The Rotten Egg Nebula

The Calabash Nebula is a protoplanetary nebula 1.4 light years long and located approximately 5,000 light years from Earth. It is sometimes called the Rotten Egg Nebula because it contains a relatively large amount of sulfur. The densest parts of the nebula are composed of material ejected recently by the central star and accelerated in opposite directions at incredibly high speeds. What do astronomers believe will happen to the Calabash Nebula 1,000 years from now? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

‘Largest living thing,’ an 80000-year-old Utah forest, is dying, scientists warn

An ancient forest in Utah considered to be the largest single living thing in the world is dying, according to scientists. The Pando aspen, a gigantic expanse of 40,000 trees that are are all clones with identical compositions, has long been known as the “trembling … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The First Underground Line of the New York City Subway Opens (1904)

Now an integral part of New York City culture, the NYC subway opened its first underground line in 1904—about 35 years after service began on the first elevated line. The subway’s early popularity was highlighted in songs like “Take the ‘A’ Train” and publicity contests like “Miss Subways.” Millions of people now ride the city’s subways every day, consistently crowding some trains well beyond capacity. What 1888 natural disaster boosted support for the creation of an underground transit system? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Karwa Chauth

Observed by married women in Hindu families, the Karwa Chauth festival is a day-long fast in honor of the Hindu god Shiva and goddess Parvati, whom they hope will bring prosperity and long life to their husbands. It is also a time for mothers to bless their married daughters and present them with gifts. Virgins and widows are not allowed to participate in the celebrations, which begin at dawn when the women bathe and put on new clothes. The day is devoted to worshipping Shiva and Parvati, and the fast is broken at night when the moon rises. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Niccolò Paganini (1782)

An Italian violinist and composer whose virtuosity is the stuff of legend, Paganini was playing with an orchestra by the age of nine. By the time he reached adulthood, the renowned violinist had also earned a reputation as a shameless womanizer and inveterate gambler. The latter vice once even cost him his prized violin. Nevertheless, he had a profound influence on the evolution of violin technique. Why did the Catholic Church deny him burial in consecrated ground for years following his death? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Guru Nanak Dev

Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of its ten Gurus. Born into a Hindu merchant caste, he worked as a storekeeper until a spiritual experience incited him to leave his job and family and begin a 20-year phase of travel. He eventually settled in Kartarpur, a village in Punjab, and attracted many disciples. He stipulated that meditation must be inward and rejected all external aids such as idols, temples, and scriptures. Where was Nanak said to have made his four major journeys? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Scientists Discover a Weird Noise Coming From Antarctic Ice Shelf

The Antarctic is no stranger to weird sounds, from ancient trapped air bubbles popping to entire ice sheets disintegrating. Now we can add another freaky track to the ouevre of icy masterpieces. Scientists monitoring the Ross Ice Shelf in West Antarctica captured … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

President of South Korea Assassinated by His Chief of Intelligence (1979)

Park rose through the ranks of the South Korean army and was a member of the military junta that overthrew the civilian government in 1961. Two years later, he was elected president of South Korea. Although his government aided economic progress through export-oriented growth, Park became increasingly dictatorial and was assassinated by his chief of intelligence in 1979—the last of several assassination attempts against him. Who was accidentally murdered in a 1974 attempt on Park’s life? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary