# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=24 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 25 --- ## [When you are about 30,000 feet in a plane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-are-about-30-000-feet-in-a-plane/371000)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2025, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-are-about-30-000-feet-in-a-plane/371000 "2025-11-19T03:13:38Z")
How far can you see on a perfectly clear day? For instance, do you think you are seeing up to 200 miles out, 300? Maybe less? --- ## [Protons and Electrons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protons-and-electrons/1024675)
**Author:** [@IridiumIodineSulfur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IridiumIodineSulfur)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protons-and-electrons/1024675 "2025-11-19T02:15:49Z")
I understand that protons are attracted to electrons and repelled by other protons (and vise versa). Why do they do that? I have had trouble finding a straightforward answer to this question, thank you for your time. --- ## ["A buck three-eighty"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-buck-three-eighty/4619)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2025, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-buck-three-eighty/4619 "2025-11-19T00:50:02Z")
This must be an East Coast thing, because I’ve never heard it out here on the Pacific. I was first exposed to the phrase “a buck three-eighty” in Billy Joel’s song “Close to the Borderline” from the “Glass Houses” album,… --- ## [In American public schools, if a child doesn't attend, is she shut out from all of its offerings (better explained in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-american-public-schools-if-a-child-doesnt-attend-is-she-shut-out-from-all-of-its-offerings-better-explained-in-op/1024879)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2025, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-american-public-schools-if-a-child-doesnt-attend-is-she-shut-out-from-all-of-its-offerings-better-explained-in-op/1024879 "2025-11-18T23:12:58Z")
Let’s say that Jenny lives comfortably within the boundaries of where the students at Prototypical Public High School (PPHS) gets its students, so there’s no ambiguity about what school she would attend if her parents en… --- ## [Empire State Building question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/empire-state-building-question/836203)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/empire-state-building-question/836203 "2025-11-18T00:57:06Z")
This photo claims to be taken in 1941. Has it been altered or doctored in any way? I don’t necessarily think it has been but it seems strange that it’s almost one lone tall building with no other skyscrapers around. I g… --- ## [Can Cuban ships pass through Guantánamo Bay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cuban-ships-pass-through-guantanamo-bay/1024911)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cuban-ships-pass-through-guantanamo-bay/1024911 "2025-11-17T23:52:48Z")
Guantánamo Bay is divided into the upper half in Cuba and the lower half in the U.S. naval base. As this map shows. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Guantanamo.jpg The 1903 lease agreement included a specification in… --- ## [Could a highly experienced small aircraft pilot successfully be talked through the landing of an airliner, as in "Zero Hour! " and "Airplane!"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-highly-experienced-small-aircraft-pilot-successfully-be-talked-through-the-landing-of-an-airliner-as-in-zero-hour-and-airplane/1024679)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-highly-experienced-small-aircraft-pilot-successfully-be-talked-through-the-landing-of-an-airliner-as-in-zero-hour-and-airplane/1024679 "2025-11-17T23:18:26Z")
I mean, I fully appreciate that it’s “a totally different kind of flying all together!”. (Say it with me!) Airplane!, of course was a comic farce and it didn’t show many details about actually operating the plane, but… --- ## [Book Collectors--terminology and technique](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-collectors-terminology-and-technique/1024787)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2025, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-collectors-terminology-and-technique/1024787 "2025-11-17T08:05:24Z")
I have has a mildly annoying morning. I obtained a book, online, and I have discovered the pages were not cut. That is, two pages were fused, never having been cut at the binder. This volume is a reprint of a 1918 pub… --- ## [Until the 1970s, Contac (an OTC cold remedy) contained a small amount of atropine (belladonna). What was its purpose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/until-the-1970s-contac-an-otc-cold-remedy-contained-a-small-amount-of-atropine-belladonna-what-was-its-purpose/988022)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2025, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/until-the-1970s-contac-an-otc-cold-remedy-contained-a-small-amount-of-atropine-belladonna-what-was-its-purpose/988022 "2025-11-17T04:14:44Z")
In the USA there’s an OTC cold remedy known as Contac, which contains acetominophen and pseudoephedrine. Until sometime in the 1970s it also contained a small amount of atropine, the main active ingredient of belladonna… --- ## [Glare on my laptop when I use it outdoors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glare-on-my-laptop-when-i-use-it-outdoors/1024900)
**Author:** [@hideousidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hideousidiot)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glare-on-my-laptop-when-i-use-it-outdoors/1024900 "2025-11-16T22:22:40Z")
I like to work outdoors but often can’t see my screen hardly at all when I work outdoors, even in the shade. Can anything be done to reduce glare? --- ## [How to 'select' exactly the words/text you want on a PC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-select-exactly-the-words-text-you-want-on-a-pc/1024859)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2025, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-select-exactly-the-words-text-you-want-on-a-pc/1024859 "2025-11-16T22:15:45Z")
I’m a Mac person. But I have to use a PC at work. My work often requires me copy and pasting text from one document to another. On a Mac, you put the curser where you want to start copying and drag it to where you want … --- ## [Copyright laws and dashcam footage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-laws-and-dashcam-footage/1024898)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-laws-and-dashcam-footage/1024898 "2025-11-16T20:06:18Z")
I’ve noticed that YouTube channels offering dashcam footage will keep their videos specific to one place: this channel only shows footage from USA and Canada, that channel only shows footage from EU countries. Is this to… --- ## [What are/were armories for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-were-armories-for/1024423)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-were-armories-for/1024423 "2025-11-16T16:55:12Z")
Like this one – why were they built in the middle of cities? They were built to prepare for … what? They wouldn’t build monuments like that just to store rifles and whatnot, would they? So what were they built for, and w… --- ## [What denominations of coins and bills have been discontinued by the U.S. over the years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-denominations-of-coins-and-bills-have-been-discontinued-by-the-u-s-over-the-years/1024817)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-denominations-of-coins-and-bills-have-been-discontinued-by-the-u-s-over-the-years/1024817 "2025-11-16T01:17:44Z")
What denominations, and when did they happen? --- ## [FBI/NSA recovering deleted files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-nsa-recovering-deleted-files/1024839)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2025, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-nsa-recovering-deleted-files/1024839 "2025-11-15T13:39:39Z")
I’m reasonably familiar with the fact that deleting a file on the hard drive simply removes the link to the various sectors where the file is written. Those actual ones and zeros are still there until a newly created fil… --- ## [Are there any emails in the Epstein archive where Epstein is talking about tax stuff at all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-emails-in-the-epstein-archive-where-epstein-is-talking-about-tax-stuff-at-all/1024842)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2025, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-emails-in-the-epstein-archive-where-epstein-is-talking-about-tax-stuff-at-all/1024842 "2025-11-14T02:17:12Z")
I want to restrict this to a factual question and not have it derailed by everything else going on in the Epstein saga: Recently, a trove of 20,000 emails from Epstein’s personal email account was released. Of course, t… --- ## [Who is the poorest current head of state in the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-poorest-current-head-of-state-in-the-world/1024688)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2025, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-poorest-current-head-of-state-in-the-world/1024688 "2025-11-14T01:41:14Z")
I remember reading about Uruguay’s former president Jose Mujica, who was, at the time, deemed “the world’s poorest head of state.” He lived in a modest farmhouse, dressed in old clothes, drove a beat-up old VW bug, yada … --- ## [Are my sunglasses magnifying cells?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-my-sunglasses-magnifying-cells/129504)
**Author:** [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2025, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-my-sunglasses-magnifying-cells/129504 "2025-11-13T20:24:49Z")
I know this sounds weird… A few years ago I was daydreaming while lying on my back and looking at the sky when I noticed the spots in my sunglasses that seemed to be caused by the sun. I focused on one of them and noti… --- ## [How does a smishing scam have access to my computer's calendar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-smishing-scam-have-access-to-my-computers-calendar/1024814)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-smishing-scam-have-access-to-my-computers-calendar/1024814 "2025-11-13T18:03:38Z")
I was just checking the calendar function on my computer for an upcoming event and I saw a notice on today’s date. It was somewhat incoherent. It spoke of a shipment that was being sent, a guest list I am supposedly on, … --- ## [Fabric-like material left on newly installed storm grates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-like-material-left-on-newly-installed-storm-grates/1024819)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2025, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabric-like-material-left-on-newly-installed-storm-grates/1024819 "2025-11-13T13:58:39Z")
A pretty big road project has been going on locally and new drainage and grates were installed. All of the grates have black material sticking up around the edges and I’ve seen a few with what look like orange straps tha… --- ## [Landing a light plane: why is it hard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landing-a-light-plane-why-is-it-hard/1024575)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landing-a-light-plane-why-is-it-hard/1024575 "2025-11-12T16:25:42Z")
In iWoz, Steve Wozniak tells the story of a trip as a passenger in a “small plane” in the 1970s. “So we flew back \[to San Jose\] after lunch – and there it was again, another one of those really, really bouncy landings. … --- ## [What's with the ridiculously long URLS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-ridiculously-long-urls/1024372)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-ridiculously-long-urls/1024372 "2025-11-12T16:17:25Z")
What’s with really long urls? A lot of times I am looking for a photo to link and the URL for the photo looks like this. I think if you assigned a code number to every quark in the known universe, you wouldn’t need this… --- ## [Any danger in putting a TV in my non-shower bathroom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-danger-in-putting-a-tv-in-my-non-shower-bathroom/1024434)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-danger-in-putting-a-tv-in-my-non-shower-bathroom/1024434 "2025-11-12T15:04:58Z")
I know water vapor in showers can quickly damage a normal TV but this is only for a small restroom with a sink and toilet only. Long story short my father has problems with pooping since he’s getting pretty old and it s… --- ## [On English Royalty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-english-royalty/1024083)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 229\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2025, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-english-royalty/1024083 "2025-11-12T04:40:50Z")
If King Charles 3rd should abdicate his crown for health reasons and leave it to Prince William what title would Charles have? King Emeritus? --- ## [A vessel that sails the ocean is seaworthy. A vessel that sails lakes or rivers is …?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vessel-that-sails-the-ocean-is-seaworthy-a-vessel-that-sails-lakes-or-rivers-is/1024779)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vessel-that-sails-the-ocean-is-seaworthy-a-vessel-that-sails-lakes-or-rivers-is/1024779 "2025-11-11T22:44:09Z")
Do we still use the term “seaworthy “ if a vessel traverses, say, the Great Lakes? Did the crew of the Edmond Fitzgerald deem her “seaworthy” before setting off? --- ## [What's going on with the local street renovations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-the-local-street-renovations/1024665)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2025, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-the-local-street-renovations/1024665 "2025-11-11T17:59:55Z")
I spent most of my life in the construction world, but not much with road construction. A local project here is repaving and upgrading the underground utilities with new manholes, cabling, etc. There is presently a compa… --- ## [Is there a way to take a picture and prove later it was taken on a specific day??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-take-a-picture-and-prove-later-it-was-taken-on-a-specific-day/46729)
**Author:** [@Hokienautic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokienautic)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-take-a-picture-and-prove-later-it-was-taken-on-a-specific-day/46729 "2025-11-11T00:34:08Z")
Here’s the background. My father works for the INS, and we talked yesterday about a problem they’re encountering. A new law is probably going to be enacted that would allow certain benefits to immigrants assuming they’re… --- ## [Mars impact lunar origin theory: How does the Moon reach a stable, nearly circular orbit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-impact-lunar-origin-theory-how-does-the-moon-reach-a-stable-nearly-circular-orbit/1024701)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2025, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-impact-lunar-origin-theory-how-does-the-moon-reach-a-stable-nearly-circular-orbit/1024701 "2025-11-11T00:00:39Z")
I’ve read a few (brief) articles online that suggest the Moon was formed very early in the solar system’s development when Mars, or what would one day become Mars, struck the Earth a glancing blow and knocked the future … --- ## [What kind of trouble is this lawyer facing (hides damning evidence that would sink his firm's client, bigly)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-trouble-is-this-lawyer-facing-hides-damning-evidence-that-would-sink-his-firms-client-bigly/1024692)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-trouble-is-this-lawyer-facing-hides-damning-evidence-that-would-sink-his-firms-client-bigly/1024692 "2025-11-10T16:39:52Z")
On a TV show I watch, a lawyer withheld evidence from Discovery, on the orders of the senior partner (who is also his father, if it matters), and locked it up in a safe deposit box. The evidence would have sunk his clien… --- ## [Amateur successfully landing a commercial jetliner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-successfully-landing-a-commercial-jetliner/1024681)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-successfully-landing-a-commercial-jetliner/1024681 "2025-11-10T02:15:30Z")
Has it ever happened that an amateur successfully landed a commercial jetliner (with or without the help of ground control)? By amateur I mean at most this person has flown a two seater prop, at worst gotten lucky with … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=25)