Originally posted on Stuff I Learned:
Sunrise and Sunsets are always stunning to watch and some rare occurence during these events makes it more beauiful to watch. Yes, there is an interesting…
The Green Flash – A rare optical phenomenon
Is There a Plan for Alien Encounters?
As readers of Commonplace Fun Facts know, the U.S. military has drawn up plans for war with the United Kingdom, invading Canada, and surviving the Zombie Apocalypse. There are even plans for […]
Sweden’s Scale Model of the Solar System Spans the Whole Country
As young students, we all got our first introduction to the solar system through pictures that showed the planets orbiting the sun. Those pictures frequently showed equal distance between the planets and […]
Space Cadets: TV’s Most Expensive Hoax
The age of space tourism is upon us. At this writing, the world (and Trekkies, in particular) is reveling in William Shatner’s recent journey into space, becoming the oldest person to do […]
What is the U.S. Government Plan for Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse?
If you are a reasonably well-informed person (which you obviously are, since you read Commonplace Fun Facts), you know that the U.S. government has plans for just about everything. These contingencies range […]
It’s the End of the World As We Know It…. And We’re Still Waiting
If you spend any amount of time looking at the headlines, you might wonder whether humanity’s clock is about to run out. If so, you would not be the first to come […]
Visit the Place Where Your Nearest Neighbors Are In Space
Readers of Commonplace Fun Facts already know that the most remote piece of real estate in the world is Bouvet Island. When you are there, you are on the most isolated island […]
NASA Measures Space Sickness With the Garn Scale
One of the biggest honors a person can receive is to become the namesake of a unit of measurement. Daniel Fahrenheit, Andres Celsius, and Charles Richter are just a few individuals whose […]
Big Bird Narrowly Avoided Dying in Space
For over 50 years, Sesame Street’s Big Bird has been one of the most iconic and beloved children’s characters. The 8-foot 2-inch (249 cm) bright yellow bird has been teaching children how […]
Can You Decode The Message Designed to Tell Aliens All About Humanity?
Assuming you are a person of reasonable intelligence, (actually, since you are a reader of Commonplace Fun Facts, we assume you are a person of extraordinary intelligence), what would you make of […]
The Man Who Suggested Moving the Whole Solar System
When it comes to recognizing those who dare to dream grand and lofty goals, don’t forget to include the man who proposed moving our entire solar system.
There Once Was a Planet Named George
The name of the seventh planet in our solar system frequently evokes giggles and crude jokes during junior high science classes, but Uranus is actually an improvement over its original name. Just […]
A Lesson From Ike About the Privileges of Rank
The military is structured around the rank system. From the first day of boot camp, soldiers are taught that authority, responsibility, and privilege all hinge upon rank. Few soldiers experienced such a […]
There are More Trees on Earth Than Stars in the Milky Way
When it comes to incredibly-large numbers, it’s hard to outdo the stars in the sky. Take anything on earth and compare its numbers to the stars in the Milky Way, and it […]
Did a Manhole Cover Become the First Manmade Object in Space?
The eyes of the world were turned spaceward in October 1957 because the Soviet Union had just launched Sputnik, the first manmade object sent into space. Or was it? Just a few […]
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