Flaming hot candle facts

In space a candle burns spherical and blue, rather than the usual teardrop shape because of gravity.

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1 Nasa astronauts found this effect when they conducted experiments with them in the 1970s.

2 The earliest candles were made in Egypt from reeds soaked in animal fat. The Egyptians also made clay candle holders, and a bronze and wood candlestick was found in Tutankhamun’s tomb.

3 The definition of a candle is a flammable wick embedded in wax. In the Middle Ages beeswax candles were for posh folk only, with most being made of tallow.

4 They've also been fashioned from fish, cows and whales. But in the 19th century paraffin wax was introduced.