Leap Seconds

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Did you know? What we experience as Coordinated Universal Time (or UTC) is an atomic time scale based on the performance of atomic clocks and more stable than astronomical time (or UT1), which is based on the Earth's irregular rotational rate. Whenever the difference between UTC and UT1 approaches 0.9 seconds, a “leap” second is added to correct for it. Learn more from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

That’s a lot of space dust!

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In 2016, NASA launched an $800 million spacecraft called the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security Regolith Explorer (or “OSIRIS-Rex” if you’re into the whole brevity thing). In September 2023, OSIRIS-Rex completed a 4-billion-mile journey to the ancient asteroid Bennu and back and dropped off 4.29 ounces (121.6 grams) of samples from 63,000 miles above the Earth. And if you think that’s cool, Mashable has more.

Valentine’s Day Spending Surge

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According to a survey by WalletHub, Valentine’s Day spending is expected to reach $25.8 billion in the U.S. this year, or about $185.81 per person choosing to celebrate the holiday.

Meanwhile, 46% of Americans say inflation is affecting their Valentine’s Day plans, and 24% don’t expect their valentine to spend any money on a gift this year. But another 45% expect their valentine to spend at least $50.

So what gives? Get more numbers.

San Francisco Market Update - December 2023

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Has the home sales market in San Francisco finally begun to cool off, or is it just the chill of another atmospheric river? Inventory and median sales price were down year over year in December, and properties took a little more time getting scooped up. Meanwhile, condo prices in the City by the Bay saw a 9% increase from the same time in 2022, and opportunities were 10% more plentiful.