› added 5 years ago

540

TIL Polaris aka the North Star, appears stationary in the sky because it is positioned close to the line of the Earths axis projected into space. As such, it is the only bright star whose position relative to a rotating Earth does not change.

Read more earthsky.org

via reddit.com

kO7Ae TIL there is an English book on atomic theory that avoids all foreign loan words: elements become "firststuffs", hydrogen is "waterstuff", and the title, Uncleftish Beholding, means Atomic Theory
QJKKe TIL In 1937 in The Soviet Union, Stalin's name was mentioned at a Meeting. Everyone Rushed to Ovation and Began Clapping. However, Nobody dared to be the 1st to Stop Clapping. The Ovation Lasted 11 Minutes. The Factory Director became too Tired and stopped. He was Sentenced 10 years in Gulag.
vPeMr TIL the 1964 film "The Pawnbroker" was among the first American films to feature a homosexual character and nudity during the Production Code, and was the first film featuring bare breasts to receive Production Code approval.
16J5D TIL the UK's official business register Companies House doesn't check if the poeple behind the company registration actually exist. Searching the register turns up business owners with names like "Donald Duck" and "Adolf Tooth Fairy Hitler".
vPQPD TIL that Stephen Sondheim co-wrote a "non-musical/straight play" with George Furth, the book writer for "Company." The play was a whodunit called "Getting Away with Murder" and it ran for 29 previews and 17 performances at the Broadhurst Theater in 1996.