› added 12 years ago

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TIL new research indicates the asteroid that killed the Dinosaurs did so, not primarily due to dust blocking out the sun, but by ejecting ~500 cubic miles of tiny glass spherules at near escape velocity. Upon falling to earth they incinerated nearly all surface life in a matter of minutes.

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via reddit.com

Ooa87 TIL that the term 'winging it' was originally a theatrical slang term for actors who didn't know their lines, and reviewed scripts in between scenes or received prompts from off stage in the 'wings'.
9wVdD TIL the placenta develops from cells that originate from the embryo, and has the same DNA as the fetus. So eating the placenta is technically eating parts of the baby.
E1mOw TIL Humans are bioluminescent. Our visible light is 1000 times weaker than what our naked eye can detect. However, images of this glow have been captured by Masaki Kobayashi of Tohoku Institute of Technology, using a specialized sensitive camera.
jNVYv TIL that the Rosenberg's where supposed to be executed at 11PM on a Friday. In an attempt to delay the execution, they claimed that it would be a violation of their religious rights to be executed on the Sabbath. Their plan backfired when the judge agreed but instead moved the execution to 8PM.
r8Wd TIL Philip II (father of Alexander the Great) threatened Sparta with “if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.”. The Spartans simply replied with “if.”. neither Philip or Alexander attempted to capture the city.