JC

Electrons can pass through barriers they do not have enough energy to cross.

Scientists measured the effect directly, built microscopes around it, and used it to map individual atoms.
The same process operates inside radioactive atoms and helps power the Sun.

Interesting Things with JC 1687: "Can Quantum Tunneling be Observed?"
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M.C. Escher drew staircases that appear to work even when they cannot exist.

His prints kept turning simple geometric patterns into worlds that look logical until the rules stop making sense.

Interesting Things with JC 1686: "M.C. Escher"

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Leonardo da Vinci painted a merchant’s wife and never delivered the portrait. He kept working on it for years and carried it with him across cities.

Interesting Things with JC 1685: "Lisa del Giocondo"

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Gene Shalit spent more than seven decades writing, reviewing, and talking about American culture.

From newspapers and magazines to radio and nearly forty years on NBC's Today, he became one of the most recognizable and trusted voices in broadcasting.

Interesting Things with JC 1684: "Gene Shalit"

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NBC NBC News Today Show

People still say Jell-O is made from horses. The rumor has survived for decades. Is it true?

Interesting Things with JC 1683: "Is Jell-O Made from Horses?"

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A sea otter can fall asleep in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The water beneath it keeps moving the entire time.
Yet many wake up exactly where they need to be.

Interesting Things with JC 1682: "Sea Otters Hold Hands when they Sleep"

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Scientists do not announce a possible alien signal first. They repeat observations, share data, and wait for independent teams to confirm it.

Interesting Things with JC 1681: "The Day After Disclosure: Humanity Already Has a Plan"

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Fewer than 700 people have traveled into space.

Many astronauts return describing the same mental shift after seeing Earth as one finite system.
The facts were already known, but the view changes how the planet is understood.

Interesting Things with JC 1680: "The Overview Effect: How Does a Cosmic Perspective Change Us?"

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Astronomers have identified thousands of planets, and billions more may exist in habitable zones across the Milky Way.

Some star systems had billions of years longer than Earth to develop technological civilizations, yet no confirmed evidence of intelligent life has been found.

Interesting Things with JC 1679: "The Fermi Paradox: Why Haven't We Found Anyone?"
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The world's largest operating steam locomotive, Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, made a historic whistle-stop in Ripley, moved through Hamburg and Blasdell at speed! This all part of its nationwide tour commemorating America's 250th anniversary.

Thousands gathered along the tracks as the legendary locomotive paused for approximately 30 minutes at the State Street crossing before continuing its East Coast journey.

The scale of Big Boy 4014 is difficult to appreciate until you see the numbers. The locomotive and tender weigh more than 1.2 million pounds (544 metric tons), stretch 132 feet 9 inches (40.5 meters) in length, and carry approximately 25,000 gallons (94,600 liters) of water. Depending on terrain and load, it can consume roughly 200 gallons (757 liters) of water and 20 to 25 gallons (76 to 95 liters) of fuel oil for every mile traveled.

Built in 1941 to haul massive freight trains across the Wasatch Mountains, Big Boy 4014 remains one of the most powerful steam locomotives ever constructed and a moving reminder of America's industrial and transportation heritage.

Did you get to see the train roll through your town?!?! Share your story of you did!