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TIL NASA has discovered a “waterworld” planet 40 light-years away that may contain exotic materials such as “hot ice” and “superfluid water”

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mxYao TIL that some species of bamboo flower only once in decades, and do so simultaneously across the entire planet, regardless of location or climate
YpAxx TIL Disney composer Alan Menken came from a family of dentists and trained at medical school. He was a poor student, "wild hippie" and barely finished NYU. 8 Oscars, 10 Grammys, 7 Golden Globes later, Menken is now a star at NYU with a doctorate and scholarship in his name
gx78 TIL ABC News interrupted regular scheduled programming to announce the reintroduction of Coke Classic in 1985.
kOy6B TIL goats' pupils are horizontal so that when when they bend their heads down to graze, their eyes stay level with the horizon, allowing them a better view of encroaching danger.
oR977 TIL that “Hunt for Red October” was inspired by an actual defection attempt by Soviet naval mutineers in 1975. The mutineers seized a destroyer and made way for Sweden. The ship was bombed and disabled by the Soviets. The leader of the mutiny was quickly executed.