wiseGEEK: Learn Something New Every Day

What Was the First Space Station?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Like many other firsts in space exploration, the first space station was launched by the Soviet Union. Like quite a few other space stories, it ended in tragedy. Launched on 19 April 1971, just two years after the Americans landed on the Moon, Salyut 1 was a 15.6 by 4 meter (51.18 by 13.12 feet) cylinder with 99 cubic meter (3,496.15 cubic feet) of...

What Was the First Space Station?

Why Do Leaves Turn Colors in the Fall?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

The turning leaves of deciduous trees are a welcome sign of autumn and its longer, cooler nights. Vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges make up the color scheme of fall, and they are all part of the cyclical nature of the seasons. Leaves on trees, shrubs, and plants turn colors when they begin the process of going dormant for the winter.

Leaves are the parts of plants and...

Why Do Leaves Turn Colors in the Fall?

When Should I Plant Bulbs?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Bulbs are a great and low-maintenance way to brighten up a garden. Many gardens around the country use the first shoots of bulbs to herald the beginning of spring, and they come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colors to please every gardener. Planting bulbs can be a fun project for kids and beginning gardeners, and watching them emerge in the next year is deeply pleasurable...

When Should I Plant Bulbs?

What Are Truffles?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Truffles are a rare and delicate type of edible mushroom that grow mainly in France, Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia; truffles are also collected in the United States in Oregon and Washington. Truffles grow underground among the roots of oak, elm, chestnut, pine, and willow trees where they form a symbiotic relationship with their environment. Duplicating these conditions for growing truffles commercially is not feasible or cost-effective on a...

What Are Truffles?

What Is Citrine?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Citrine is a yellow version of quartz, also known as gold topaz or Spanish topaz. It is not, however, true topaz. It is found in much greater quantity, and is much less expensive to produce and cut into gemstones. Heating other forms of quartz, like amethyst, commercially produces much of today’s citrine. Such citrine is usually betrayed by its orange color with red undertones, instead of the yellow...

What Is Citrine?

Who Is Voltaire?

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Voltaire is the pen name of François-Marie Arouet, a French writer of the Enlightenment. Voltaire was a prolific writer and philosopher, penning essays, plays, poems, novels, and nonfiction works. He was also known for his wit and outspoken political views. Voltaire criticized most of the institutions of his day, including the aristocracy and the Catholic Church, and fought for reforms such as freedom of religion and...

Who Is Voltaire?

What Is a Cheese Wheel?

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

A cheese wheel is a wheel or block of cured cheese which is typically still covered in a protective rind. Most cheeses are made in the shape of wheels, with cheese shops cutting out wedges of a cheese wheel when clients request a particular cheese. Some cheese producers also make smaller personal cheese wheels which are designed to be sold whole, rather than chopped up. Some cheese wheels can...

What Is a Cheese Wheel?