Mercury

 Mercury is the planet that is nearest to the sun. As a result, it orbits the sun quicker than any other planet, prompting the Romans to name it after their swift-footed messenger god. Mercury is the second densest planet after Earth, with a massive metallic core of around 2,200 to 2,400 miles in diameter, or about 75% of the planet's diameter. Mercury's outer shell is just 300 to 400 miles (500 to 600 kilometers) thick in contrast. For years, scientists have been perplexed by the combination of its huge core and composition, which contains an abundance of volatile elements.

Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system, being just slightly bigger than Earth's moon. The planet is riddled with craters because it lacks a strong atmosphere to deflect impacts. An asteroid 60 miles diameter collided with Mercury around 4 billion years ago, leaving a massive impact crater 960 miles wide. This crater, known as the Caloris Basin, could house the whole state of Texas. According to studies published in 2011, another massive impact may have contributed to the planet's unusual rotation.

Mercury, as if it wasn't tiny enough already, has shrunk in the past and is still shrinking now, according to a 2016 analysis. A single continental plate sits above a cooling iron core on the small planet. The planet's volume decreases when the core cools and hardens, causing it to shrink. The process crumpled the surface, resulting in lobe-shaped scarps or cliffs hundreds of miles long and soaring up to a mile high, as well as Mercury's "Great Valley," which is larger than Arizona's famous Grand Canyon and deeper than East Africa's Great Rift Valley at about 620 miles long, 250 miles wide, and 2 miles deep.

Barry Manilow

 Barry Manilow is responsible for “Copacabana” and a slew of other hits, but you can also thank him for some of the catchy ad jingles that are stuck in your head. Manilow wrote and composed the iconic jingle for Band-Aid ("I am stuck on Band-Aid, 'cause Band-Aid's stuck on me"). Manilow won a Clio Award in 1976 for his work for Band-Aid. The State Farm jingle ("Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there") was also written by Manilow. Manilow said he was paid $500 in 1971 for writing what became the theme song for the insurance company.

Jacksonville, Florida

 The largest city in Florida by land area is Jacksonville. Situated in the northeastern part of the state, Jacksonville is an economic and cultural hub known for its diverse communities, rich history, and stunning natural beauty. Covering a massive land area of approximately 874.3 square miles (2,264.5 square kilometers), Jacksonville holds the distinction of being the largest city by land area not only in Florida but also in the entire contiguous United States.

The city was founded in 1822 and was named after Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. Jacksonville's strategic location along the St. Johns River and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean have played a vital role in shaping its history and growth. It has evolved from a small trading post into a bustling modern metropolis, making it an attractive destination for tourists and businesses alike.

The sheer size of Jacksonville means that it encompasses a wide range of neighborhoods and communities, each with its unique character and offerings. Downtown Jacksonville serves as the urban core, boasting a skyline dotted with impressive skyscrapers and a vibrant arts and entertainment scene. The Southbank area offers scenic riverfront views and is home to numerous parks and cultural attractions, including the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

On the north side of the St. Johns River, you'll find neighborhoods such as Riverside and Avondale, known for their historic charm and beautiful architecture. These areas are popular for their artsy vibe, eclectic shops, and trendy dining establishments. Meanwhile, the Beaches area, including Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach, offers residents and visitors a laid-back coastal lifestyle with stunning beaches and an array of water sports and recreational activities.

Beyond the urban centers, Jacksonville boasts an abundance of natural wonders. The city's vast land area encompasses numerous parks, preserves, and ecological reserves, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, located within the city limits, offers hiking trails, historical sites, and scenic views of the marshes and waterways that define the region's unique landscape.

Moreover, Jacksonville has a thriving economy driven by various industries such as logistics, finance, healthcare, and military. The Port of Jacksonville, one of the busiest ports in Florida, plays a crucial role in facilitating trade and commerce, further solidifying the city's status as a regional economic powerhouse.

The city's diverse population reflects its long history as a melting pot of cultures. Residents hail from various ethnic backgrounds, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates its differences. This cultural diversity is evident in the wide array of festivals, events, and culinary offerings that can be experienced throughout the city.

In terms of infrastructure, Jacksonville benefits from a well-developed transportation network. Interstate highways, major state roads, and a reliable public transportation system help residents navigate the vast city efficiently.

While Jacksonville's large land area provides ample opportunities for growth and development, it also poses challenges. Ensuring effective governance, maintaining infrastructure, and managing urban sprawl are among the tasks that the city authorities continuously strive to address.

Purple

 When you mix blue and red paint, you get the color purple. This is because blue and red are complementary colors, meaning that they are opposite each other on the color wheel, and when mixed together, they create a new color. In this case, the blue and red paint combine to form the color purple.

Purple is often described as a cool color, as it is typically associated with calmness and tranquility. It is often associated with royalty and luxury and is often used in fashion and interior design.

The history of mixing paint and colors goes back thousands of years, with the earliest known examples dating back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Mesopotamia. In these early societies, people would mix natural materials such as crushed stones, minerals, and plant extracts to create pigments for painting and other artistic purposes.

Over time, as knowledge and techniques for making paint improved, people began to experiment with mixing different colors to create new shades and hues. One of the earliest known examples of this is the color wheel, which was invented by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century. The color wheel is a visual representation of the colors of the spectrum and shows how different colors can be mixed together to create new ones.

Leave It to Beaver

 Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver is the fictional character in the television series Leave It to Beaver. Played by Jerry Mathers, Beaver is the son of June and Ward Cleaver (Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont, respectively) and the younger brother of Wally Cleaver (Tony Dow). It was not until the last episode of the show that the writers revealed the origin of how young Theodore received his nickname. It turns out that when the boys were younger, Wally mispronounced Theodore's name as "Tweeter," and the name "Beaver" stuck ever since.

Leporiphobia

 Leporiphobia an irrational and intense fear of rabbits. Individuals suffering from leporiphobia experience overwhelming anxiety and panic when exposed to or even mere thoughts of rabbits. Symptoms of leporiphobia may include rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling, and a desperate urge to escape from the perceived threat. These fears can be deeply ingrained, often originating from past traumatic experiences, genetics, or other underlying psychological factors. Tennis star Andy Roddick is rumored to have a fear of bunny rabbits.

Poseidon

 Poseidon, in Greek mythology, was one of the twelve Olympian gods, the divine beings who ruled over the cosmos from atop Mount Olympus. He was revered as the god of the sea, earthquakes, storms, and horses. Poseidon's realm and influence extended far beyond the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, encompassing the untamed power and unpredictability of the vast oceans.

As the god of the sea, Poseidon held a position of great importance in the Greek pantheon. The sea, for the ancient Greeks, was both a source of sustenance and wonder, but also a realm of danger and mystery. Poseidon's domain allowed him to command the winds, waves, and tides, shaping the maritime world and influencing the lives of sailors, fishermen, and traders who depended on the sea for their livelihoods.

Often depicted with a regal trident in his hand, Poseidon's weapon of choice symbolized his authority over the waters. With a mere gesture, he could conjure tempestuous storms that could make or break a seafaring voyage. Sailors and ships were often at his mercy, and his worshipers would often make offerings to appease his volatile temperament and seek safe passage on their journeys.

However, Poseidon's dominion extended beyond just the seas. He was also the god responsible for earthquakes, which the ancient Greeks believed occurred when he struck the earth with his trident. This dual aspect of his divine powers demonstrated the ancient Greeks' understanding of the interconnectedness between the elements and the forces of nature.

Poseidon's character was complex and multifaceted, often embodying both benevolent and wrathful qualities. His temperament could be capricious, and he was known for punishing those who incurred his wrath. For example, he caused the city of Troy to be swallowed by the sea after its king, Laomedon, failed to fulfill his promises to the god. Conversely, Poseidon was also known to reward those who pleased him, such as the people of Athens, whom he gifted with a sacred spring by striking the Acropolis with his trident.

In addition to his control over the sea and the earth, Poseidon had a special affinity for horses, which he was believed to have created. He was often depicted riding a chariot pulled by magnificent sea-horses or hippocampi, mythical creatures with the upper bodies of horses and lower bodies of fish. His love for horses made him a patron of horse racing, a popular sport in ancient Greece.

Poseidon's role in Greek mythology was not without conflicts and rivalries, particularly with his brother Zeus, the king of the gods. They contested for supremacy and control over the world, with Zeus ultimately prevailing and becoming the ruler of Mount Olympus. Despite these rivalries, the gods recognized the importance of each other's domains and worked together to maintain cosmic balance.