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A new study published February 15 in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society finds that the Andromeda galaxy is actually around the same size as our own galaxy. Scientists previously thought Andromeda was about two to three times the size of the Milky Way, and that it would one day swallow us up in a galactic smashup billions of years away. But researchers using a technique to measure “the speed required to escape a galaxy” have figured out why Andromeda is smaller than research has suggested, according to the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR). This could seriously change the outcome of that eventual merger.

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gJgA TIL: license plate sized tiles known as “Toynbee tiles” began appearing around the United States and South America in the 80’s that contained cryptic messages about resurrecting the dead on Jupiter. Over 300 have been found so far, and has influenced copycat artists.
9Yadp TIL The word “umbrella” comes from the Latin word “umbra,” meaning shadow. The umbrella was originally designed as a shield from the sun, but over time it evolved to be used during rainy weather.
WkAW8 TIL that there is a shanytown on the edge of Seoul's affluent Gangnam District, created by people evicted from houses in low-income areas demolished prior to the 1988 Olympics, who came there as their last refuge. It has 2500-4000 residents, mostly impoverished elderly, living in shacks and trailers
VXx0 TIL Virgins in Iran are married/raped before being executed because the Koran forbids the killing of virgins.
m1ndO TIL Humans can’t walk in a straight line without looking at something. If blindfolded, we gradually walk in a circle. It seems like our brain needs a reference point to stay on track!