COOL THINGS! (VOL 2.4)
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to the May 2021 issue of Cool Things! Each month, we want to bring you news on scientific discoveries, historical information, and other interesting finds from across the internet. We have a lot to share today, so let's dive in!
Planet T. Rex
Welcome to the May 2021 issue of Cool Things! Each month, we want to bring you news on scientific discoveries, historical information, and other interesting finds from across the internet. We have a lot to share today, so let's dive in!
Planet T. Rex
Above: Anger Issues!
The Tyrannosaurus Rex is a terrifying creature, the king of the Cretaceous with teeth the size of kitchen knives. If that wasn't scary enough, now imagine 2.5 BILLION of them. That's the estimate a new study gives for the total population of the species. That puts about 1 T. Rex for every three people on Earth. Luckily for other dinosaurs, this massive population is due to the T. Rex's longevity as a species. It's likely there were only ever 20,000 rexes living at a time during the millions of years the species roamed the world.
You can read more about the study here and browse our collection of Tyrannosaurus Rex specimens here! If you're looking for something really special, check out this one of a kind T. Rex Tooth necklace.
The one of a kind, 1.1 inch Tyrannosaurus Rex tooth necklace!
The fossil tooth is capped with a gorgeous sterling silver chain and comes from the mouth of a real Tyrannosaurus. We only have one available, so if you like what you see, act fast!
Recipe for an Atmosphere
Recipe for an Atmosphere
Above: Artist's depiction of Kepler-186f, an Earth like exoplanet. Source: JPL-Caltech
The connection between a planet's geologic composition and atmospheric makeup hasn't been well understood, but a new series of experiments is using chondritic meteorites to shed some light on that question. These stony meteorites were formed early in the solar system's history and are composed of the same matter that would eventually become the planets we know today. Some bubbles of ancient atmosphere have actually survived over time, preserved in process that creates fulgurites, or petrified lightning!
You can read more about the study here and check out our new samples of the NWA 869 meteorite to learn more about what makes chondritic meteorites so special!
"We're Gonna Need a Bigger Needle"
Above: Get your shot in the deep blue sea! Credit: AMNH
The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is an amazing institution for learning and science and now it's opening its doors as a COVID-19 vaccination site. Patients will be able to get their shot below the iconic 94 foot long blue whale model in the Hall of Ocean Life. It looks like the Cetacean got a jab of its own too, judging from the new bandage over its flipper. Sign us up!
Monkeydactyl: The First Thumbs
Above: The Monkeydactyl grabs a snack... Cute, terrifying, or both? Credit: Chuang Zhao
Monkeydactyl: The First Thumbs
Above: The Monkeydactyl grabs a snack... Cute, terrifying, or both? Credit: Chuang Zhao
What's got two thumbs, a pair of wings, and teeth to boot? Monkeydactyl! This newly discovered animal, known by its official name as Kunpengopterus antipollicatus, was a 160 million year old reptile that stalked the forests of Jurassic China. What sets this creature apart is its clawed, opposable thumbs, which allowed it to climb trees and catch prey. This is the earliest instance of opposable thumbs discovered, making Monkeydactyl the first of its kind. We give it two thumbs up!
Growing Microscopic Salt!
Growing Microscopic Salt!
Above: A salt sheep standing on salt legs. Credit: Science Magazine
As water evaporates, it leaves behind any saturated materials. With salt, this creates tiny crystal structures, which ordinarily aren't a big deal. However, pipes that see a lot of water moving through them can experience a build up that leads to clogging and damage. To solve this, engineers have developed a new material with nanoscopic holes. This material forces the salt crystals to grow upwards in stalks, which makes them less likely to stick to the inside of the pipes, washing them away and preventing build up. A fun side effect of this process means the salt crystals resemble microscopic sheep! Take a look!
❤️🚀 Remembering Michael Collins
Above: U.S. Astronaut Michael Collins, 1969. Source: NASA
As water evaporates, it leaves behind any saturated materials. With salt, this creates tiny crystal structures, which ordinarily aren't a big deal. However, pipes that see a lot of water moving through them can experience a build up that leads to clogging and damage. To solve this, engineers have developed a new material with nanoscopic holes. This material forces the salt crystals to grow upwards in stalks, which makes them less likely to stick to the inside of the pipes, washing them away and preventing build up. A fun side effect of this process means the salt crystals resemble microscopic sheep! Take a look!
❤️🚀 Remembering Michael Collins
Above: U.S. Astronaut Michael Collins, 1969. Source: NASA
When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the surface of the Moon, Collins piloted the command module in orbit, making sure the astronauts made a safe trip home. After the Apollo mission, Collins became the first director of the newly named National Air and Space museum and played an instrumental role in expansion of the space wing.
Collins' work at both institutions of science and of learning will always be remembered.
Collins' work at both institutions of science and of learning will always be remembered.
"It’s human nature to stretch, to go, to see, to understand. Exploration is not a choice, really; it’s an imperative.” -Michael Collins
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Latest News
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Apr 09, 2025 Did Scientists Resurrect a Dire Wolf or Just Create Colossal Hype? Read More -
Apr 07, 2025 What was dinosaur armor used for? New fossils help scientists find out! Read More -
Apr 03, 2025 Top 10 Most Incredible Dinosaur Fossils Ever Discovered! Read More -
Mar 31, 2025 The Mysterious Dodecahedrons From Across Ancient Rome Read More -
Mar 26, 2025 The Crazy Story of How Star Wars Got Made! Read More -
Mar 26, 2025 Skin, Eggs, and Poop: Unique Types of Dinosaur Fossils! Read More
Cool Things!
Did Scientists Resurrect a Dire Wolf or Just Create Colossal Hype?
A "dire wolf" in its enclosure
Post Author - Ellis Nolan
In a recent and controversial developmen...
What was dinosaur armor used for? New fossils help scientists find out!
Above: The immaculately preserved Borealopelta fossil!
Post author - Ellis Nolan
While teeth and ...
Learn How Scientists Made Woolly Mice!
A woolly mouse next to an unedited lab mouse
Post Author - Ellis Nolan
In an experiment that woul...
Specimen Deep Dives
Returning to the Moon: The Apollo 14 Mission
In the wake of the disastrous Apollo 13, the revolutionary space program that had landed humans o...
The Secrets of the Space Shuttle: Learn about Mini Museum's Shuttle Tile Material!
Want to learn more about our mission-flown Space Shuttle Columbia HRSI tile? This specimen was re...
Gondwana: When the Earth Was One
Gondwana, also known as Gondwanaland, was an ancient supercontinent which first formed 800,000,00...
Long Form Articles
Top 10 Most Incredible Dinosaur Fossils Ever Discovered!
Dinosaur fossils have captured the popular imagination for decades. The giant, bizarre creatures that traversed the Earth far before the dawn of human civilization are the subject of countless exhibits, movies, books and television shows. Here is a countdown of 10 of the most significant and incredible fossils ever discovered!
The Mysterious Dodecahedrons From Across Ancient Rome
The ancient Romans left behind architectural marvels, a rich philosophical tradition, and a complete pantheon of gods and heroes, but among their many relics, the Gallo-Roman dodecahedrons remain truly mysterious.
The Crazy Story of How Star Wars Got Made!
On May 14, 1971, George Lucas flew into London for the first time. For a while now, the young director had been workshopping ideas for a space opera, jotting down an increasingly long list of bizarre names for people and places he could build a story around. So when he landed in London, Lucas marched into the office of United Artists head David Picker and convinced the executive to provide the seed money for his next movie.