Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 102
February 15, 2022
Sun Causes 40 SpaceX Starlink Satellites To Rain Down Above Earth
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
A mass of fireballs streaked across Puerto Rico’s skies in early February 2022 in a dramatic and otherworldly display. Was it America’s second Roswell? Or perhaps the planetary invasion tinfoil-hat wearers have predicted for the last two decades? Nope!
Instead, video captured the wild visual aftermath of a geomagnetic storm that knocked 40 Starlink satellites out of Earth’s orbit. Designed to stay low in the atmosphere, this characteristic allowed for the satellites to be easily wrangled in case of failure. However, this orbital range also left them vulnerable to a geomagnetic storm, as the recent display over the “Island of Enchantment” so aptly demonstrated.
Here’s what you need to know about the geomagnetic storm that sent burning debris streaking across the heavens.
SpaceX Starlink Satellites: A Recent HistoryThe first Starlink satellites launched in 2019. Since that time, the company headed by billionaire CEO Elon Musk has rocketed an additional 2,000 gadgets into the night sky. All told, the company has ambitious goals for the future, eventually planning to fill the atmosphere above Earth with a total of 42,000 satellites. The mega-constellation created by this endeavor will provide customers with high-speed, low-latency internet access worldwide, according to Starlink’s website.
For those interested in stargazing, the introduction of a gigantic belt of bright satellites is a serious problem, though. In particular, astronomers fear the satellites will interfere with their ability to chart the stars and make observations. Other critics of the program have argued the project will cause the equivalent of interstellar traffic jams, blocking orbital slots that might be utilized by other companies and nations. Some also fear these satellites could soon account for 90 percent of all space travel near-misses, per Space.com. Of course, the loss of these 40 satellites has done little to assuage these concerns.
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Satellites Versus Geomagnetic StormAfter SpaceX initially launched 49 satellites on February 3, 2022, everything appeared normal. They orbited approximately 130 miles from the planet at a height providing easy access to SpaceX operators. Unfortunately, Elon Musk’s company underestimated the geomagnetic storm that ensued. In a statement released from SpaceX, the company explained that the storm caused a spike in drag by upwards of 50 percent over previous launches.
What is a geomagnetic storm? These extraterrestrial events occur when a surge of solar wind collides with the Earth’s magnetic field. These solar winds contain charged particles that warm the upper atmosphere, generating currents in the planet’s upper atmosphere. They also increase the density of the atmosphere, dramatically exaggerating friction (as in the case of the SpaceX launch). Scientists have since determined the storm came from an eruption of the sun’s surface on January 30.
Evasive Maneuvers and Lost SatellitesTo counteract the drag, SpaceX engineers commanded the satellites to take evasive action. This involved flying “edge-on” in a formation that rendered them like sheets of paper. In this position, the technicians hoped to decrease the surface area of each satellite as it passed through the atmosphere. In the “edge-on” position, rapid satellite deceleration should theoretically decrease.
Unfortunately, the “edge-on” flying formation couldn’t compensate for the friction caused by the geomagnetic storm. Soon, 40 satellites plummeted towards Earth. Fortunately, for the planet’s inhabitants, especially those in Puerto Rico, the satellites are designed to disintegrate upon re-entering the planet’s atmosphere. So, beyond an impressive light show, citizens of Earth had little to fear.
By Engrid Barnett, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: Sun Causes 40 SpaceX Starlink Satellites To Rain Down Above Earth
February 14, 2022
February 13, 2022
February 12, 2022
February 11, 2022
Ice-Skating Rescue Dog Makes New York Debut
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
About 6,844 miles away from Beijing, where the U.S. National Team continues to glide their way to the Olympics podium, a rescue dog took to a New York ice-skating rink, where he barked, jumped, and lunged into the hearts of millions on a mission of his own.
Lured by the promise of a big apple, Benny, the ice-skating yellow lab, made his New York debut with a stop at Central Park’s famed Wollman Rink. Front paws donned in custom pup skates and dressed in his finest sponsored gear, Benny scooted his way onto the ice, delighting the crowd as he whizzed by.
Good Deeds From a Good BoyView this post on Instagram
A post shared by Wollman Rink (@wollmanrinknyc)
However, the 8-year-old good boy wasn’t only there for a good time; he was there to promote good vision, too!
Sponsored by Animal Necessity, the creator of the Ocu-Glo vision supplement that keeps pups’ peepers looking good, Benny put his talents on display in support of the Vision for Animals Foundation, which raises awareness for improving the quality of life for animals through vision enhancement.
Don’t get it twisted, though. Benny is a stand-up influencer who doesn’t just carry an Ocu-Glo stick when he skates — he actually uses the vision supplement himself!
Animal Necessity matches all donations from purchases made in Benny’s name to the Vision for Animals Foundation.
A Ruff Road to the RinkBenny’s road to the rink wasn’t an easy one. His owner, Cheryl Delsangro, saved him from a Salt Lake City shelter when he was a puppy — only a day before he was scheduled to be put down.
Once he was rescued, it was smooth skating with Delsangro, a former professional ice skater, introducing Benny to the ice after witnessing his natural ability during a photoshoot for the Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey team!
As Benny slid across the ice on all paws, Delsangro realized she could probably teach him how to skate, saying, “I taught our daughter when she was 17 months old, and I figured Benny had better balance than a toddler. I had not skated for about 15 years since moving to Las Vegas. In essence, this brought my two passions — dogs and skating — together.”
Practice made paw-fect, and not only did Benny learn to stop, skate in reverse, and push his paws out to the sides — he loves doing it!
This isn’t Benny’s first skate around the rink. The figure skating fido has skated with some of the best, including the Golden Knights and even performing at the US Skating Championships.
Follow Benny on Instagram to witness his canine combinations and doggy double axels for yourself!
By Meghan Yani, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!
February 10, 2022
Ripley’s Aquariums Penguin Predicts Bengals Will Win Super Bowl LVI
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
With the Super Bowl days away, Ripley’s Aquariums MVP – most valuable penguin – Fleury, has made her prediction. The four-year-old African penguin has placed all bets on the Cincinnati Bengals.
Last year, Fleury predicted the Kansas City Chiefs would take the title. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers securing their second-ever Super Bowl victory 31-9, Fleury has something to prove.
“Out to redeem herself after last year’s pick, we were shocked when Fleury selected the underdog Bengals, but Cincinnati is much closer to her Gatlinburg home at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies,” said Ryan DeSear, Vice President US Operations.
Fans on social media agree with Fleury’s choice. In recent polls across social media, Ripley’s followers strongly favored the Cincinnati Bengals.
Make a Splash With Fleury at Ripley’s Aquariums!In total, there are 18 different species of penguins. Unfortunately, 11 of these 18 are globally threatened! Some species, like the African penguins living in the Penguin Playhouse at Ripley’s Aquariums, are endangered. Ripley’s works closely with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal birds to support these birds on exhibit and in the wild. Through the Species Survival Plan, Ripley’s Aquariums work to help rebuild the population by raising three African Penguin chicks throughout the course of three years.
Waddle on over to the Penguin Playhouse at both Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach to experience these flippered friends for yourself and to learn more about how you can help in the conservation of these beautiful birds. Start planning your trip to Ripley’s Aquariums!
Source: Ripley’s Aquariums Penguin Predicts Bengals Will Win Super Bowl LVI
Unbelievable Moments In Super Bowl History
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
It may be the biggest sporting event of the year, but there’s so much more to this grand spectacle that draws in millions and millions of viewers. Every February, friends and family gather to watch the two best teams in the NFL battle it out for the victorious title of “Super Bowl Champs.”
However, there is so much more to appreciate beyond just the sport itself: the commercials, the National Anthem, and of course, the famous halftime show. We’ve rounded up some of the most bizarre facts, feats, and, well, some fails, in Super Bowl history.
The first Super Bowl featured jet packs as part of the Halftime Show.Held in 1967, the first Super Bowl did not feature a star-studded musical concert during its halftime show, but there were two rocket men from Bell Aerosystems with jet packs. They filled the retrofuturistic devices with hydrogen peroxide and launched themselves 100 feet up into the air. Let’s get this back on the halftime show schedule, stat!
What can $6 get you? Apparently, a Super Bowl ticket!
Our very first Super Bowl was played 55 years ago today at the LA Coliseum.
The jetpack halftime show was an absolute spectacle
. (Jan. 15, 1967) pic.twitter.com/tWtihICafu
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2022
Yes, that’s correct. The first Super Bowl ever was attended by 61,946 people and those football superfans paid a mere six dollars per ticket! (Granting them access to that rocket-powered halftime show mentioned above.) This battle between Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs wasn’t shown on television. It only lives on one tape that was taken by a stadium employee that’s now stored in a vault.
During 2013’s Super Bowl XLVII, stadium goers were caught off guard by a spooky blackout.In the third quarter, the Louisiana Superdome faced a poorly timed power outage that delayed the game for 34 minutes. The Baltimore Ravens were leading the San Francisco 49ers 28 to 6 as the stadium power shut off, with only auxiliary power keeping the field and concourses from total darkness. It was speculated to have been caused by Beyonce’s killer halftime show (worth it), but was later determined as an abnormality in the power system.
A 3D Elvis-impersonating magician graced the Super Bowl stage in 1989.During Super Bowl XXIII in 1989, an Elvis impersonator known as Elvis Presto performed the world’s “largest card trick” in 3D while a nation watched at home in cardboard glasses. To make it even weirder, Coca-Cola and NBC also pronounced this spectacle as the world’s “largest eye exam.” They warned viewers that if the effect didn’t work, it might be a sign to see an optometrist. So, we’ll let you decide, who was the real winner here — the 49ers or Elvis Presto?
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Tom Brady’s jersey went missing after the Patriots claimed victory.The man, the myth, the legend, Tom Brady, recently announced his retirement from the NFL. Through all the ups and downs, the seven Super Bowl rings, and the stolen jerseys, there’s no doubt that Brady’s been through a lot. Following the big game in 2017 between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Brady’s iconic #12 jersey suspiciously disappeared from the locker room. It was later found out through a long-term investigation that a newspaper editor with media credentials was the culprit.
When “Left Shark” stole the show…In the 2015 Super Bowl XLIX, Katy Perry performed a halftime show that left viewers talking. Although, they weren’t talking about Perry’s performance. They were talking about one of her dancers dressed in a giant shark costume who didn’t quite understand the moves. He wasn’t in sync with the other dancers, and instantly became the internet’s favorite meme. Watch this shark flail his way to fame below!
Nothing hurts more than four straight losses.Crazy enough, the Buffalo Bills played in four back-to-back Super Bowls and unfortunately also lost all four in the early 1990s. If you’re wishing your team was in the championship game this year, just remember at least you didn’t lose four in a row (unless you’re a Bills fan, in which case we apologize for bringing it up).
That time when New England Patriots player Julian Edelman practically defied gravity.To set the scene, it was the fourth quarter of 2017’s Super Bowl LI with less than three minutes to play. The Patriots were down by 8 points to the Atlanta Falcons after one of the greatest comebacks in Super Bowl history. Tom Brady threw downfield towards wide receiver Julian Edelman. Three Falcons players were closing in on him when the ball tipped off one of their hands. Edelman quickly reacted, diving to catch the football while Falcons players piled up around him. The ball bobbled, but Edelman kept control of the ball and the refs ruled it a catch!
There’s surely more to come!We’ll be keeping our eyes out for those future unbelievable sports moments that only happen during the Big Game. Submit the wildest sports facts and stories you know here on our website!
By Sam McCormack, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!
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