SWEET CLASSICS

Did your favorite candy make our top candies list? Take a look!

Image: Denny Müller

What was your favorite candy when you were a kid? Has it changed, or does it still have a special place in your heart (or should we say, your taste buds)? Some candies have stood the test of time, delighting different generations of Americans with their flavors. If you have a sweet tooth, read on. Today, we're exploring the delicious world of the 10 most popular candies. But be warned: this might just send you running to the store!

Image: Shyam Mishra

Just the thought of its name is enough to make our mouths water! Considered one of the best-selling candies in the world, the famous Snickers bar has an unbeatable combination: sweet nougat and crunchy peanuts, all wrapped in a chocolate coating.

Although the name of this delicious bar might make you think of shoes, it's actually named after a horse, the favorite of the Mars family, who created the candy in 1930.

Image: Justin

If you're one of those who can't resist a sweet treat, you've probably already enjoyed the Kit Kat bar. A classic in the world of candy, this bar not only has what we all want - yes, chocolate - but also combines it with several layers of crunchy wafer.

Legend has it that the Kit Kat bar, created in 1935, was specially designed with its iconic square shape so that it could easily fit into any worker's lunchbox. Plus, each packet comes with four chocolate fingers that you can snap off and save for later (although we prefer to eat them all at once!).

Image: Midas Hofstra

Originating in the UK in 1967 and introduced to the United States in 1979, Twix, the famous chocolate and caramel bar, is one of the most popular candies to this day.

With its mix of milk chocolate, caramel, and cookie, Twix offers a crunchy delight that has won fans everywhere. Its catchy name is actually a combination of "twin sticks." Pretty smart, right?

Image: Dan Cristian Pădureț

If candy bars aren't your thing, don't worry! Maybe a fruity alternative can be the right option for you.

Originating in Colorado during the 1950s, Jolly Ranchers have been a beloved choice for candy fans for many years. With flavors from sweet to sour, there's something for everyone. If you're unsure where to start, rumor has it that the red flavors are the most popular!

Best known for their iconic hard candies, Jolly Rancher doesn't stop there; they also offer gummies and lollipops!

Image: Evan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are an American classic, with annual sales of more than $2 billion!

It is not just the delicious mix of chocolate and peanut butter that makes these Cups so irresistible; it's also their creamy texture that melts in your mouth. Okay, you got us; they are our favorites. But we're not alone; even the famous Ryan Gosling is reported to be a fan of these delicious candies.

Fun fact: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were originally known as "penny cups" due to their price in the 1930s when they first appeared.

Image: Sebastian Gómez

Once you start, you just can't stop! Of course, we're talking about the irresistible M&M's.

For the sweet-toothed, there's the classic M&M's, featuring a semi-sweet chocolate covered in a colorful candy shell. And for those who want something less sweet, there's the peanut version.

Created in the United States in 1941 for the U.S. Army during WWII**,** you can enjoy these treats in any weather, hot or cold, thanks to the protective coating. Hence their famous slogan, "the milk chocolate that melts in your mouth, not in your hand."

Image: frankieleon, via Wikimedia Commons

Hershey's Kisses, these filled chocolate teardrops, are not only delicious but also the perfect size.

But there is no breaking news here, as the Hershey Company has been producing these treats since 1907. Yes, they've been around for over a century!

In addition to their unique shape, Hershey's Kisses are also known for their distinctive packaging. Did you know that strip of paper that sticks out from the top is called a "Plume"?

Image: Jonathan J. Castellon

Had enough chocolate? Skittles can be the perfect antidote in this situation.

Also featuring a colorful candy coating, Skittles may resemble M&M's at first glance, but they're different. Instead of chocolate, you'll find a mix of corn syrup, sugar, and fruit juice inside them.

But where does this peculiar name come from? Well, the candy's round shape resembles the "ball" used in an old European game also called Skittles, similar to modern bowling.

And here's another fun fact: Skittles have been vegan-friendly since 2009!

Image: Evan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Remember those days as a kid when you stuffed your mouth with so much candy that you couldn't even chew and ended up drooling? Well, even though we're all grown up now, the colorful Starbursts can make you want to do that again.

Originally known as Opal Fruits, they were later rebranded as Starbursts, a name that refers to the burst of flavor in every bite. In our opinion, this name hits the nail on the head.

But if you don't trust our taste in candy, perhaps you'll trust football quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who declared himself a huge fan of these candies. His favorite is the red flavor!

Image: Mary Jane Duford

It's time to talk about a candy that divides opinions. Loved by some and hated by others, we can’t deny that Candy Corn is one of the most popular Halloween treats. Believe it or not, Candy Corn has been around since the late 19th century!

Despite its name and appearance, Candy Corn isn't made from corn at all. Instead, it is composed of gelatin, which gives it that waxy texture. If you are looking for a low-calorie candy option, look no further, as each piece of Candy Corn contains only about 7 calories!

FROM SCIENCE TO FICTION

Speak The Language Of The Stars With These 12 Astronomical Terms

Image: Greg Rakozy

A science as ancient as astronomy has generated an immense number of terms to define its many discoveries. From the ethereal "solar wind" to the explosive allure of "starburst galaxies", these terms not only describe scientific phenomena but also illustrate the rich history and cultural influences that have shaped their existence. Join us as we navigate a linguistic cosmos where words express the most varied types of celestial wonders.

Image: Brett Ritchie

A "celestial sphere" is a fundamental concept in astronomy, acting as both a theoretical construct and a visual aid in understanding the apparent distribution of celestial objects from Earth.

Picture an imaginary, transparent sphere surrounding our planet, with Earth at its center. This celestial sphere provides a convenient reference frame for astronomers to map and describe the positions of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies as they appear to an observer on Earth.

Image: Alex Simpson

Derived from the Latin word constellatio, meaning a set of stars, constellations are groupings of stars that, when viewed from Earth, appear connected to create recognizable shapes or figures.

These celestial configurations have served as both navigational aids and mythological storytelling tools across diverse cultures throughout history. Also, beyond their aesthetic purpose, constellations are vital to astronomers, providing a celestial coordinate system for locating objects in the night sky.

Image: NASA

"Dwarf planet" refers to a specific category of celestial bodies that share characteristics with both planets and asteroids. Dwarf planets typically occupy the outer reaches of the solar system, with Pluto serving as the most famous member.

This designation sparked debates and discussions about the nature of planetary identity, prompting a reevaluation of how we define and categorize objects in our cosmic neighborhood.

Image: Jeremy Thomas

The mysterious word "aphelion" marks a pivotal moment in a celestial body's orbit, representing the farthest point from the Sun. Derived from the Greek words apo, meaning away, and helios, meaning sun, aphelion occurs when a planet, asteroid, or comet reaches the maximum distance in its elliptical journey around our star.

Earth, for instance, experiences aphelion in early July each year. The term illustrates the dynamic nature of celestial mechanics and the intricate interplay that governs the movements of celestial bodies within our solar system.

Image: Michael & Diane Weidner

A somewhat more terrestrial word than the previous examples, "equinox" defines the celestial alignment where day and night achieve perfect equilibrium, marking two pivotal moments in Earth's orbit around the Sun.

Derived from the Latin words aequus, meaning equal, and nox, meaning night, this astronomical event occurs twice a year, during spring and autumn. During these periods, the plane of Earth's equator intersects the center of the Sun, resulting in nearly equal durations of daylight and darkness across the globe.

Image: Chantal & Ole

"A-type star" designates a specific class of luminous celestial bodies. These stars have surface temperatures ranging between 7,500 and 10,000 Kelvin, rendering them hotter than our Sun.

A-type stars, often found in young stellar clusters, have a bluish-white radiance and well-defined spectral lines, revealing a composition rich in hydrogen and helium.

Image: Pixabay

Coming from the Latin word facula, meaning little torch or bright spot, faculae are intricate and ephemeral features found on the Sun's surface. Comprising bright patches, they emerge in regions of intense magnetic activity, revealing the complex interplay of magnetic fields on our star's luminous surface.

These luminous phenomena are often associated with the presence of sunspots. Studying faculae not only enhances our understanding of solar magnetism but also offers insights into the Sun's influence on space weather and Earth's climate.

Image: Pixabay

The "heliosphere" is a vast and dynamic domain shaped by the Sun's ceaseless influence, extending far beyond its visible surface. Originating from the Greek words helios, meaning sun, and sphaira, meaning sphere, this term defines the immense region dominated by the Sun's solar wind and magnetic field.

Stretching beyond the orbit of Pluto, the heliosphere acts as a protective shield, deflecting cosmic rays and interstellar particles within the entirety of the Solar System and a significant region of space beyond it.

Image: Pixabay

Coming from the Latin word for cloud or mist, nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust scattered throughout the cosmos, serving as the celestial nurseries for stellar birth or the remnants of dying stars.

These luminous formations take on a variety of shapes and sizes, from the ethereal glow of emission nebulae to the dark, intricate patterns of absorption nebulae. Nebulae play a pivotal role in the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction, acting as the cosmic crucibles where stars forge their existence and, in their demise, release enriched elements back into space.

Image: Lens Travelier

A mysterious expression indeed, "solar wind" conjures the invisible yet powerful exhalation from our Sun that shapes the dynamic environment of the solar system. Coming from the English word windan, meaning to twist or turn, this stream of charged particles radiates outward in all directions from the Sun.

Fueled by the Sun's intense heat and magnetic activity, the solar wind influences the behavior of celestial bodies, sculpting the tails of comets, interacting with planetary atmospheres, and even defining the boundaries of the heliosphere.

Image: NASA

Not to be confused with the popular candy, a starburst galaxy unveils a cosmic phenomenon where celestial fireworks ignite in a burst of stellar creativity. Coined from the vivid imagery it evokes, a starburst galaxy is a galactic system undergoing an exceptionally high rate of star formation.

This surge in stellar birth is often triggered by galactic collisions or intense interactions, unleashing an amazing array of new stars across the galactic landscape. Most starbursts occur as a result of galactic interactions.

Image: John Paul Summers

A self-explanatory term that almost sounds like science fiction, "supermassive black hole (SMBH)" describes a gravitational giant lurking at the hearts of galaxies. Coined from its colossal mass, often millions or even billions of times that of our Sun, an SMBH's immense gravitational pull is so powerful that not even light can escape, rendering it invisible to traditional observation methods.

These cosmic behemoths play a crucial role in shaping galactic structures and influencing stellar orbits within their domains. The origin of SMBHs remains a puzzle, with theories suggesting their growth through mergers, accretion of surrounding matter, or a combination of both.