life's little mysteries
Latest about life's little mysteries
![A person's shadow on bank steps in Hiroshima, Japan.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R84oRX5aciEYMWGG4W3NxZ-320-80.jpg)
Why did the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima leave shadows of people etched on sidewalks?
By Stacy Kish last updated
The nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of WWII left shadows of people on the ground and buildings. Here's why.
![Tropical island, partial underwater view.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z7t7AD6Xtni6T9r2YiNuK-320-80.jpg)
When were sea levels highest?
By Meg Duff published
Sea levels were extraordinarily high during the last period of the dinosaur age. But ocean levels may have been even higher before that.
![Background of healthy fresh cruciferous vegetables with broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts kale and kohlrabi.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FQUfthhpU2YWyLSjQ4sfGP-320-80.jpg)
Are kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts really all the same plant?
By Marlowe Starling published
Have you ever heard of the plant Brassica oleracea?
![Mineral bismuth close-up, full size image above 4K.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QNVKiagc7eneRBqZpwfNgN-320-80.jpg)
Bismuth is so strongly repelled from magnets, it levitates. How?
By Victoria Atkinson published
The element bismuth can "float" between magnets due to magnetic levitation. What's the science behind this phenomenon?
![Baby rubbing eyes.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HD3ahKk6ZcZZhcmP7bfcaS-320-80.jpg)
Why do babies rub their eyes when they're tired?
By Ashley Hamer published
Babies usually rub their eyes when they're tired, but why?
![The Sun, followed by Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B8ypgZ9gvzWJmRbu3nRSGa-320-80.jpg)
Have all 8 planets ever aligned?
By Charles Q. Choi published
The solar system's eight planets will never truly be in a straight line, but they can get close to it.
![Saturn moon Enceladus in front of planet Saturn, rings and other moons.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JUBtSVQkDDMuqif8EYfNeD-320-80.jpg)
Why aren't all orbits circular?
By Alice Sun published
Why do some celestial bodies have tadpole or even horseshoe-like orbits?
![Young girl walks uphill through snow with the sun shining behind her as she ventures towards the unknown.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/teWHRepu7yfFerMsZwLSTZ-320-80.jpg)
Why does snow squeak when you walk on it?
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
The science behind why snow crunches underfoot.
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