Diagrams of Mesklin's size, gravity, orbit and temperature

Mesklin is a fictional planet created by Hal Clement and used in his hard science fiction stories, starting with Mission of Gravity (1954). Alongside the novel's original 1953 serialization in Astounding Science Fiction, Clement published an essay titled "Whirligig World" on how he designed the planet. The idea came from an object that was believed to exist in the 61 Cygni system, possibly an extrasolar planet. The planet is distinctive for the interaction of its strong gravity with the centrifugal force due to its fast rotation, giving it a gradient in the perceived force of gravity from 3 g on the equator to 665 g on the planet's poles (diagram pictured). It is inhabited by native lifeforms, including an intelligent centipede-like species, the Mesklinites. Mesklin is considered an example of hard science fiction worldbuilding, an exotic milieu that accords with known facts and laws of physics. While the planet is dissimilar to Earth, its inhabitants are commonly regarded as humanlike in behaviour. (Full article...)

Photograph of the liberation of Korea

• ... that the date and location of an iconic photograph of the liberation of Korea (pictured) are uncertain?
• ... that there is a Korean Peninsula within the Korean Peninsula?
• ... that a coal miner became one of his country's greatest actors?
• ... that the Goryeo court moved to Ganghwasanseong Fortress to escape the Mongols?
• ... that a festival established in 2002 has its roots in a 1592 war?
• ... that the Diocese of Seoul under Bishop Elijah Jang-Whan Kim funded the planting of an "Anglican forest" in desertified areas of Mongolia?
• ... that a non-fiction book about North Korea kidnapping two filmmakers to make movies was released soon after North Korea hacked Sony because of a movie?
• ... that a hiking trail established by Suh Myung Sook is estimated to contribute more than US$800 million to the economy of Jeju Province?
• ... that 13 + 3 + 1 = Seventeen?

Path of the solar eclipse

• A solar eclipse (animated path shown) causes totality from Siberia to Iberia.
• Former premier of China Zhu Rongji dies at the age of 97.
• A magnitude-7.4 earthquake strikes Chocó Department, Colombia, leaving at least 294 people dead.
• In cycling, Demi Vollering wins the Tour de France Femmes.

August 15: Independence Day in India (1947); National Liberation Day of Korea (1945); Liechtenstein National Day

Wow! signal

• 1261 – Michael VIII Palaiologos was crowned Byzantine emperor in Constantinople.
• 1909 – A military coup against the government of Dimitrios Rallis began in the neighbourhood of Goudi in Athens, Greece.
• 1941 – Josef Jakobs, a German spy, became the last person executed at the Tower of London.
• 1948 – The Republic of Korea was established with Syngman Rhee as its first president.
• 1977 – Big Ear, a radio telescope at Ohio State University, received a strong, apparently extraterrestrial radio signal that became known as the Wow! signal (printout pictured).