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Bowhead Whales Outlive Centuries
- Bowhead whales can live up to about 250 years, so individuals born before Moby-Dick was published may still be alive today.
- Researchers date some whales by harpoons found in their bodies to estimate ages beyond standard methods.
Mocha Dick's Violent Reputation
- The real whale that inspired Moby-Dick, Mocha Dick, had 19 harpoons in its side when it died in 1839.
- The hosts described Mocha Dick as a famously aggressive sperm whale that terrorized whalers in the 1830s.
Rockets Tested With Near-Lethal Sound
- ESA's LEAF acoustic facility can produce extremely loud pressures (about 154 dB) to test rockets, but claims it would 'kill you' are likely exaggerated.
- Very high sound pressure can still cause pain, ear damage, and physiological stress even if it doesn't 'explode your head.'