Bright Side

Space exploration is one of the most mind-blowing and intriguing things to do. Did you know, for example, that black holes make sounds? Or that distant galaxies send radio signals? Or that there’s a whole lot of water floating in space? These are just some of the curious sounds and stuff scientists have discovered in outer space. 

Space facts are always interesting to learn. We've collected the most amazing facts and recent discoveries about outer space for you including facts about the planets of our solar system, moons, Milky Way, and beyond! By the way, some facts about astronauts are also on the list! 

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Did you ever notice the crushed stones which are lying alongside the railway tracks? Have you ever wondered why these stones are placed there? By the way, they are called track ballast. But what are those for, anyway? And how does this bed of stones not fall apart under the weight of a moving train? 

And guys, if you like trains, you might want to look at some other fun railroad facts you can bring up at your next water cooler gathering! Like why railroads have gaps, or how they are protected from rusting, or if it's dangerous to ride on a train during a thunderstorm. Plenty of questions, and we’ve got all the answers you need!

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What is a neutron star? What are neutron stars made of? Well, they might not be as popular as black holes, but it doesn't make them any less enigmatic! Little is known about these super-dense remains of ancient stars. But one recent event may shed light on at least some of their mysteries! 

When energy starts to leave the fading star, it transforms into a neutron star. Energy is leaving it in the form of neutrinos - particles. During a supernova explosion, the star emits almost 10 times more neutrinos than the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons in the Sun! No wonder such conditions give birth to something truly scary…

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What's the largest snake in the world? Well, if we're talking about snakes alive today, then the longest snake is the Reticulated python. But the heaviest snake is the Anaconda. However, if you wanna know how big was the biggest snake that has ever lived, prepare to be amazed. 

So, imagine you went back in time and are strolling through the jungles of the Paleocene. Ferns and trees are huge, and this one trunk is especially enormous. And then it moves. Tough luck! You’ve met the biggest snake that ever slithered on Earth – the Titanoboa. And Anacondas or Reticulated pythons would be like spaghetti next to this creature... 

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Why do escalators have vertical grooves in them? Haven't you ever noticed that escalator stairs are grooved? Well, they are! But why do these moving stairs look so unlike regular stairs? In fact, those grooves perform an essential role in the operation of the escalator.

First of all, an escalator is a complex mechanism, and the stairs you’re standing on are an integral part of it. Standing on the steps of an escalator is basically the same as standing inside a clock: you’re right in the heart of things. And the most awesome part is that you’re also standing both on the outside and the inside of the escalator at the same time!

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When did humans start walking upright? Are we supposed to walk on all fours? And what would our world look like if we still walked on all fours? There are a lot of theories that attempt to explain why humans started to walk on two legs. By the way, this ability is called bipedalism and it's one of humanity’s defining physical characteristics.

Anyway, about 4 million years ago, ape-like ancestors left the safety of their trees and took the first step toward humanity. They started carrying food over long distances and using tools to prepare it. But what if they hadn’t?

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Landing is really rough sometimes. Also, everybody knows that the most critical times are landing and taking off. If you wanna ease or get rid of this fear, you should know how exactly a plane lands.

Why is landing often bumpy? (In fact, a rough landing has its benefits.) Why do pilots make a circle around the city before landing? Can an airplane land in strong crosswinds? These are just some of the most common questions about one of the most “interesting” parts of the flight. Let’s get them answered!

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What to do if you're on a sinking ship? How to survive? Can you escape a sinking ship? Even the biggest cruise ships are vulnerable to giant waves or... icebergs. And the best way to protect yourself is to be prepared for an emergency. The main thing is not to panic and follow the safety instructions.

Remember that you should be able to find the evacuation plan in your cabin. Of course, you don’t want to think about evacuation when going on a sea cruise, but it can really save your life. To remember it better, go through the entire ship once, following the plan’s directions. And it's better to do it when everything’s calm.

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Are there side effects of virtual reality? What can happen if you spend too much time in VR? Is there any risk in virtual reality? What happens to your body in VR? If you're going to try out VR gadgets, be sure you're fully aware of how this technology works.

The first thing you should know is that even when you're in the comfort of your home, the experience is real! Your body reacts to every stimulus – lighting, sounds, movement. When you don VR goggles, you’re stepping not only into a different reality…you step into a virtual body. And that body in that environment can really trick your own here in the real world!

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What are the most unusual mobile phones ever? Remember the old days when manufacturers used to try to come up with something new? As a result, phones often used to look weird. Nowadays, tech companies are still trying to sell you the next big thing every other day. Phones, in particular, go through a lot of new ideas, and some proposals don't always end up working out.

For example, we all agree that one of the limitations of smartphones is the screen size. Tablets and laptops are bigger but less convenient. Projectors seemed like an obvious solution. The first phones with this built-in feature rolled out back in 2010, but never really took off... But there were many other phone concepts that didn't, can't, or aren't likely to hit the mainstream.

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