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On the hunt for natural or chance configurations? You’ve come to the right place. Here are a few of our favorite patterns: 1) The moiré pattern in physics is the wavy geometrical design that happens when one set of lines (straight or curved) is superposed onto another set.

On the hunt for natural or chance configurations? You’ve come to the right place. Here are a few of our favorite patterns: 1) The moiré pattern in physics is the wavy geometrical design that happens when one set of lines (straight or curved) is superposed onto another set.

73,146 Aufrufe

Figure skating jumps are divided into two types: edge jumps and toe jumps, differentiated by their take-offs. Edge jumps take off using the edge of a skate, and include: - Axel - Loop - Salchow The axel is generally considered the most difficult jump in figure skating. 🧵⬇️

Figure skating jumps are divided into two types: edge jumps and toe jumps, differentiated by their take-offs. Edge jumps take off using the edge of a skate, and include: - Axel - Loop - Salchow The axel is generally considered the most difficult jump in figure skating. 🧵⬇️

224,748 Aufrufe

Maybe go light on the roast beast this year.

Maybe go light on the roast beast this year.

90,908 Aufrufe

In 1609, Italian mathematician and philosopher Galileo created his own telescope and began observing the heavens. His discoveries were earthshaking, and in 1610, he wrote a book, 'Sidereus Nuncius' (The Sidereal Messenger), to describe what he'd seen.

In 1609, Italian mathematician and philosopher Galileo created his own telescope and began observing the heavens. His discoveries were earthshaking, and in 1610, he wrote a book, 'Sidereus Nuncius' (The Sidereal Messenger), to describe what he'd seen.

24,076 Aufrufe

(solemnly) You've had mail.

(solemnly) You've had mail.

60,174 Aufrufe

Published in Beeton’s Christmas Annual of 1887, the story marks the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Published in Beeton’s Christmas Annual of 1887, the story marks the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

18,024 Aufrufe

Homo erectus, the extinct species of the human genus, appears to have been the first human species to control fire, some 1,000,000 years ago. The species seems to have flourished until about 200,000 years ago before giving way to other humans including Homo sapiens.

Homo erectus, the extinct species of the human genus, appears to have been the first human species to control fire, some 1,000,000 years ago. The species seems to have flourished until about 200,000 years ago before giving way to other humans including Homo sapiens.

17,712 Aufrufe

The lutz is a difficult maneuver marked by a long backward arcing glide into the jump, and is landed on the opposite foot from the one used for takeoff. When a skater messes up this jump, the mistake is often called a “flutz.”

The lutz is a difficult maneuver marked by a long backward arcing glide into the jump, and is landed on the opposite foot from the one used for takeoff. When a skater messes up this jump, the mistake is often called a “flutz.”

12,343 Aufrufe

The toe loop begins with the skater moving backward and ends on the same foot used for takeoff. It is generally considered the easiest of the competitive jumps to perform. (Easy for us to say.)

The toe loop begins with the skater moving backward and ends on the same foot used for takeoff. It is generally considered the easiest of the competitive jumps to perform. (Easy for us to say.)

11,843 Aufrufe

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Want to feel young? We're still 250 million years away from Pangea Proxima.

Want to feel young? We're still 250 million years away from Pangea Proxima.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

66,782 Aufrufe • vor 25 Tagen

We literally made a whole video about this.

We literally made a whole video about this.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

258,323 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

Everything from the Apollo landing sites is still on the Moon... exactly where it was left. Congratulations to NASA and the Artemis II crew on a spectacular mission!

Everything from the Apollo landing sites is still on the Moon... exactly where it was left. Congratulations to NASA and the Artemis II crew on a spectacular mission!

Encyclopaedia Britannica

35,565 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

One of the first dinosaur fossils found in England was discovered in the 1600s. Scientist Robert Plot guessed that it was the leg bone of an elephant brought there by the Romans. After comparing it to elephant bones, he decided it was actually the thigh bone of a giant human.

One of the first dinosaur fossils found in England was discovered in the 1600s. Scientist Robert Plot guessed that it was the leg bone of an elephant brought there by the Romans. After comparing it to elephant bones, he decided it was actually the thigh bone of a giant human.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

22,783 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

The internet is chaotic; badgers are simple. Please enjoy this video of one of our favorite stout carnivores from our archives.

The internet is chaotic; badgers are simple. Please enjoy this video of one of our favorite stout carnivores from our archives.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

28,243 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

In honor of National Pet Day, we'd like to tip our hats to all the cat owners out there. Fifteen thousand years of cat-human relationships, and we're still figuring them out.

In honor of National Pet Day, we'd like to tip our hats to all the cat owners out there. Fifteen thousand years of cat-human relationships, and we're still figuring them out.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

23,904 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

It's been a privilege and a pleasure to share our love of knowledge with you this year! Here are some of our most-liked posts of 2025.

It's been a privilege and a pleasure to share our love of knowledge with you this year! Here are some of our most-liked posts of 2025.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

45,641 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

Turns out cows may have beauty and brains.

Turns out cows may have beauty and brains.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

38,671 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

On June 5, 1985, Ferris Bueller took the day off. On April 15, 1874, the first impressionist exhibition opened in Paris. The two were always bound to meet.

On June 5, 1985, Ferris Bueller took the day off. On April 15, 1874, the first impressionist exhibition opened in Paris. The two were always bound to meet.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

82,421 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Loons feed mainly on fish, crustaceans, and insects, which you could say are their heated rivals.

Loons feed mainly on fish, crustaceans, and insects, which you could say are their heated rivals.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

27,071 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

President John F. Kennedy’s address at Rice University stressed the importance of the United States becoming an international leader in space exploration. May times of stress bring out the determination in all of us.

President John F. Kennedy’s address at Rice University stressed the importance of the United States becoming an international leader in space exploration. May times of stress bring out the determination in all of us.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

17,246 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

There's a lot happening on the internet, so we hope this video of a black skimmer feeding at twilight brings a moment of relaxation. Sound up for maximum zen.

There's a lot happening on the internet, so we hope this video of a black skimmer feeding at twilight brings a moment of relaxation. Sound up for maximum zen.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

27,505 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

Happy 99th birthday to the man who has 50 over organisms named after him, including frogs, carnivorous plants, dragonflies, trees, and massive fossilized plesiosaurs. Cheers, Sir David Attenborough.

Happy 99th birthday to the man who has 50 over organisms named after him, including frogs, carnivorous plants, dragonflies, trees, and massive fossilized plesiosaurs. Cheers, Sir David Attenborough.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

43,519 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call to inventor Thomas Augustus Watson. Years later, Watson was recorded describing that first call ⬇️

On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call to inventor Thomas Augustus Watson. Years later, Watson was recorded describing that first call ⬇️

Encyclopaedia Britannica

14,166 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

2025: Year in Review Relive the big events of this year with us.

2025: Year in Review Relive the big events of this year with us.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

20,968 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

Yams and sweet potatoes are botanically not even closely related, but are often confused for one another. What's the difference between these plants?

Yams and sweet potatoes are botanically not even closely related, but are often confused for one another. What's the difference between these plants?

Encyclopaedia Britannica

16,448 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

A hummingbird typically weighs less than a marshmallow which is so cute we can’t think about anything else. Please consider this fact and video your timeline cleanse for the day.

A hummingbird typically weighs less than a marshmallow which is so cute we can’t think about anything else. Please consider this fact and video your timeline cleanse for the day.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

26,736 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

How do hurricanes get their names?

How do hurricanes get their names?

Encyclopaedia Britannica

18,316 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten

What you see in your "mind's eye" may be very different from the people around you...

What you see in your "mind's eye" may be very different from the people around you...

Encyclopaedia Britannica

22,570 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Ranked choice voting was invented in the 1850s in Europe for multi-winner elections, and later adapted to its current single-winner form. The first use of RCV in the U.S. occurred in 1915, when Ashtabula, Ohio, used it to elect its city council. Here's how it works.

Ranked choice voting was invented in the 1850s in Europe for multi-winner elections, and later adapted to its current single-winner form. The first use of RCV in the U.S. occurred in 1915, when Ashtabula, Ohio, used it to elect its city council. Here's how it works.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

18,159 Aufrufe • vor 11 Monaten