UPDATE:  SOLVED at 1:49 CDT by Alejandro

Look at us, starting a new riddle cycle off with a bang.  As Tom mentioned in this post, we are able to offer a really cool prize from A&E to the person who solves this riddle.  Here’s a link to the Amazon page, along with the one in the side bar, if you want to check it out.  Don’t spend too much time looking it over – the winner is the first person who solves the riddle!

For clarification, this special prize riddle will work exactly like the weekly riddles.  The riddle is open to everybody; I will be in the comments for feedback; the winner gets his/her name on the list for the next bonus riddle; the winner chooses the subject of my next blog post (Monday’s); the winner is the first person who solves the riddle; and Tom has the final say in any controversy.

Are you ready to riddle?  Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines:

The answer to today’s riddle is a thing.

It exists in the real world.

This thing really lives up to its name.

In order not to “understate” an important characteristic of this thing, you have to learn to compensate.

Sometimes it’s visible to the unaided eye; usually it’s not.

All things considered, today’s answer is on the chilly side.

Today’s answer fits into several categories, one of which is quite rare.

It appears ready to move on to its next incarnation.

…

Finis!  I know you have the answer, so hurry over to the comments and claim that amazing prize.

Everybody is eligible to win, so good luck.

The art of intimidation.