Why the Bastille mattered even though it held only seven prisoners

The Bastille became a symbol despite holding only seven prisoners

7 prisoners

When the Bastille was stormed, it held only seven prisoners: four forgers, one mentally ill man, a failed assassin, and a nobleman accused of sexual misconduct. Despite the tiny prison population, its fall became a powerful symbol of the old French regime.

A planet barely heavier than Earth can be almost as big as Saturn

Kepler-51b is a remarkably low-density planet. It has only a few times Earth's mass but a radius approaching that of Saturn, giving it an enormous, diffuse atmosphere. Astronomers call such worlds 'super-puffs.' Their strange proportions show that a planet's size can reveal surprisingly little about how much matter it contains.

Jumping spiders use fluid pressure to extend their legs

A jumping spider can straighten its legs for a powerful leap by forcing body fluid into them under pressure. This lets it jump without needing large muscles to extend those leg joints.

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Why the Bastille mattered even though it held only seven prisoners

The Bastille became a symbol despite holding only seven prisoners

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