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NASA's Viral 'Standing Broom' Trick Has Nothing To Do With Earth's Gravitational Pull

A viral myth from 2012 is recirculating on the web right now, claiming NASA said Monday was the only day you can make brooms stand up all by themselves, because of the earth's gravitational pull. Sadly, there's a reasonable explanation for the "standing broom" trick and it has everything to do with balance. CNN reports: [T]he truth is, you can make a broom stand upright today... and tomorrow and the day after... and the day after that. It has nothing to do with the earth's gravitational pull on a certain day. It also has nothing to do with the vernal equinox (another day of the year when this "magic" supposedly happens). Instead, it has everything to do with balance. The center of gravity is low on a broom, and rests directly over the bristles. Which means, if you can get the bristles positioned like a tripod, your broom will stand upright any day of the year.


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