# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=278 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 279 --- ## [Apparent motion of stars in the night sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparent-motion-of-stars-in-the-night-sky/943251)
**Author:** [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparent-motion-of-stars-in-the-night-sky/943251 "2021-06-01T22:07:07Z")
I live at about 53 degrees north. If I stand facing north the circumpolar stars trace an arc around the Celestial north pole over the course of the night. There are lots of long-exposure images online that purport to sho… --- ## [Wi-fi dropping on a new laptop. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-dropping-on-a-new-laptop-why/937186)
**Author:** [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-dropping-on-a-new-laptop-why/937186 "2021-06-01T19:15:14Z")
Got a new Dell laptop that I’ve not been a big fan of but started to make peace with – until the last few days. Now I’ve got an issue with intermittent wi-fi connectivity issues. No other devices have this problem. Over… --- ## [Looking for a scientific term that describes the 'convergence' of two or more tsunami systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-scientific-term-that-describes-the-convergence-of-two-or-more-tsunami-systems/943350)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-scientific-term-that-describes-the-convergence-of-two-or-more-tsunami-systems/943350 "2021-06-01T18:18:11Z")
I’m for a scientific term that describes the ‘convergence’ of two or more tsunami systems. It’s not ‘convergent tsunami’. I haven’t found that term to describe the process of merging tsunami waves. I remember watching a … --- ## [Windows 10 "Users" folder and a full drive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-users-folder-and-a-full-drive/942800)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-users-folder-and-a-full-drive/942800 "2021-06-01T17:56:50Z")
The relatively small C: drive on my desktop is full so I’m looking free up space. I’ve already started moving my Documents folder to a larger drive. I’ve looked on Google so now I’m asking Dopers: is there a way tell Wi… --- ## [Question about exponents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-exponents/943259)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-exponents/943259 "2021-06-01T05:20:59Z")
I’m guessing such a thing probably doesn’t exist, but I’ll try asking anyway. Let’s call 23 shorthand, and 2x2x2 longhand. Of course the answer is 8. 20 is 1, but what’s the longhand for it? Also, 21 is 2, but what’s… --- ## [Facebook jail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-jail/943307)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-jail/943307 "2021-06-01T03:59:31Z")
I wanted to visit an uncle’s page the other day, but it was gone. The next day, I got a friend request from him. After verifying (by email) that the request was legitimate, I confirmed. A few minutes ago I got this em… --- ## [Looking for an English equivalent to the Alexandre Dumas proverb "La plus belle fille du monde ne peut donner que ce qu'elle a"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-an-english-equivalent-to-the-alexandre-dumas-proverb-la-plus-belle-fille-du-monde-ne-peut-donner-que-ce-quelle-a/943083)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-an-english-equivalent-to-the-alexandre-dumas-proverb-la-plus-belle-fille-du-monde-ne-peut-donner-que-ce-quelle-a/943083 "2021-06-01T03:11:00Z")
I’m looking for an English equivalent to the Alexandre Dumas proverb “La plus belle fille du monde ne peut donner que ce qu’elle a”. I have found only “No man can give more than he has” or " a man cannot give what he has… --- ## [What happens if a male takes HRT intended for transmen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-a-male-takes-hrt-intended-for-transmen/942997)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-a-male-takes-hrt-intended-for-transmen/942997 "2021-06-01T00:58:10Z")
Or a female takes HRT intended for transwomen? Or the take 2, 3, 4 times the usual dose for long periods of time? --- ## [Michigan driving law question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-driving-law-question/943130)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-driving-law-question/943130 "2021-05-31T20:49:50Z")
I was looking through Michigan driving laws to get the evidence to dunk on some jackass in a Youtube comment ;). When I came upon this i had never seen before. “Upon a roadway that is divided into 3 lanes and provides … --- ## [How to pronounce brotchán foltchep (oatmeal leek soup)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pronounce-brotchan-foltchep-oatmeal-leek-soup/943253)
**Author:** [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pronounce-brotchan-foltchep-oatmeal-leek-soup/943253 "2021-05-31T20:47:15Z")
I assume it’s Gaelic? But perhaps it’s another Celtic language? --- ## ["Exotic" animal ownership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exotic-animal-ownership/943225)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2021, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exotic-animal-ownership/943225 "2021-05-31T06:07:57Z")
A zebra recently escaped from an auction trailer in Tennessee, and was quickly captured. Apparently - private ownership of zebras is legal in Tennessee (only agricultural permits needed). In the same ownership category o… --- ## [Smartphones, the portability / interoperability thereof](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartphones-the-portability-interoperability-thereof/942810)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartphones-the-portability-interoperability-thereof/942810 "2021-05-30T16:28:28Z")
A few years ago, I was not much liking my flip phone and wanted one more like my partner had. Got one very cheaply on ebay that looked similar and went to switch the little SIM chip to it, only to be told by a cellphone… --- ## [Automotive puzzler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-puzzler/943188)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2021, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-puzzler/943188 "2021-05-30T07:54:51Z")
'13 Toyota Corolla, 66,000 miles … out of the blue, when I turn on my headlights, the display lights on the radio and clock go almost completely dim. Any thoughts on this phenomenon? Thanks! --- ## [Relief from the elements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relief-from-the-elements/943162)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2021, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relief-from-the-elements/943162 "2021-05-30T07:24:49Z")
The British have 8–9000 prisoners in hand. They are rounding up others, all of whom have stopped fighting, on West Falklands. The total will be well below the 15,000 that the Argentine commander reported. The main proble… --- ## [Complex inversions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complex-inversions/943078)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2021, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complex-inversions/943078 "2021-05-30T02:54:23Z")
I’m looking for instances of complex inversions of design elements. To give you an idea of what I mean, here’s a few examples: The colors red and blue are inverted between the flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico. This was … --- ## [If I pointed a laser pointer at the moon... (Hypothetical)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-pointed-a-laser-pointer-at-the-moon-hypothetical/943037)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2021, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-pointed-a-laser-pointer-at-the-moon-hypothetical/943037 "2021-05-29T12:20:32Z")
Suppose for a moment the Earth had no atmosphere and I took a laser pointer (like the ones you use to play with your cats) and pointed it at the moon. If there were another person standing on the moon, right where I was … --- ## [Do I need a good multimeter for building LiFePo4 batteries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-a-good-multimeter-for-building-lifepo4-batteries/852820)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2021, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-a-good-multimeter-for-building-lifepo4-batteries/852820 "2021-05-29T12:17:13Z")
I currently use a Mastech MS8268 for working with prismatics for 12V builds. Just wanting to get a straight answer as to whether or not I need a good unit like a fluke for manual top balancing and checking the resistance… --- ## [Why do snow blowers have manual chokes and lawn mowers don't?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-snow-blowers-have-manual-chokes-and-lawn-mowers-dont/943141)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2021, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-snow-blowers-have-manual-chokes-and-lawn-mowers-dont/943141 "2021-05-29T10:13:27Z")
I got my new mower today (Toro with a Honda Engine) and wondered this. --- ## [Why are gecko's droppings black with white tip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-geckos-droppings-black-with-white-tip/943010)
**Author:** [@longtry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longtry)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2021, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-geckos-droppings-black-with-white-tip/943010 "2021-05-29T04:40:43Z")
I’m wondering about the contrast in colors. How does the digestion process work in geckos? FYI, my observation is based on the common house gecko. --- ## [You couldn't design a virus to target an age group, could you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-couldnt-design-a-virus-to-target-an-age-group-could-you/942934)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-couldnt-design-a-virus-to-target-an-age-group-could-you/942934 "2021-05-28T19:19:17Z")
This thread about conspiracy theories about covid reminded me of a CT I saw a few times last spring - the theory being that Covid was a virus designed by the Chinese government to target the elderly in China because old … --- ## [Was there ever a custom to make statues of deceased children?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-custom-to-make-statues-of-deceased-children/942940)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2021, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-custom-to-make-statues-of-deceased-children/942940 "2021-05-28T17:14:51Z")
Many years ago, my mother was at an antique market or similar venue, where she overheard some people talking about a piece of statuery there. Specifically, it represented a little girl with angel wings. My mother reporte… --- ## [Difference between iCloud Drive and iCloud Documents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-icloud-drive-and-icloud-documents/943089)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2021, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-icloud-drive-and-icloud-documents/943089 "2021-05-28T14:44:32Z")
For the life of me, I don’t get the difference between these two, in Apple OS X. I mean the two marked with an asterisk below: Favorites napier Applications On My Mac AirDrop Recents iCloud iCloud Drive \* Deskt… --- ## [Which Natural Formations Have Fallen Apart Naturally In The Last ~100 Years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-natural-formations-have-fallen-apart-naturally-in-the-last-100-years/942620)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2021, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-natural-formations-have-fallen-apart-naturally-in-the-last-100-years/942620 "2021-05-28T11:18:52Z")
The collapse of Darwin’s Arch in the Galapagos got me to thinking: what other naturally-occurring beautiful and magnificent things have naturally fallen apart in the last, say, century-ish? I’m asking about full destruct… --- ## [Why Would the Power Problems in Texas Lead to a Months-long Collapse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-power-problems-in-texas-lead-to-a-months-long-collapse/933719)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-power-problems-in-texas-lead-to-a-months-long-collapse/933719 "2021-05-27T22:40:50Z")
News stories are saying that had the utilities not cut off demand during the emergency, long-lasting damage to the infrastructure would have been much worse. Why is that? If users demand more power than is in the system… --- ## [How did Indian tribes who lived inland (before 1492) conceive of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-indian-tribes-who-lived-inland-before-1492-conceive-of-the-atlantic-and-pacific-oceans/942786)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-indian-tribes-who-lived-inland-before-1492-conceive-of-the-atlantic-and-pacific-oceans/942786 "2021-05-27T21:51:02Z")
Was it some sort of legend that an endless water existed far to the east or the west? Or were they (indirectly?) in contact with other tribes who had seen such oceans? Or was it a complete mystery to them? --- ## [Can previous testimony be used in a retrial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-previous-testimony-be-used-in-a-retrial/942991)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-previous-testimony-be-used-in-a-retrial/942991 "2021-05-27T17:48:50Z")
I was listening to a podcast about a murder trial. At the first trial, the coroner reported the time of death was 8-10pm. That timeline didn’t work out for the prosecution so for the retrial the coroner revised the tim… --- ## [What is the evidence that radiation from cell phones poses a risk to human health?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-evidence-that-radiation-from-cell-phones-poses-a-risk-to-human-health/942214)
**Author:** [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-evidence-that-radiation-from-cell-phones-poses-a-risk-to-human-health/942214 "2021-05-27T16:53:17Z")
Can anyone direct me to studies, research, etc. from credible sources? --- ## [What if we "lily ponded" the oceans of the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-lily-ponded-the-oceans-of-the-world/942556)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-lily-ponded-the-oceans-of-the-world/942556 "2021-05-27T14:48:41Z")
What if we “lily ponded” the oceans of the world? Consider. Two big problems our cities face are gaining enough power for everything their citizens need to run AND gaining enough fresh water for everyone to drink and wa… --- ## [Questions on the University of Buckingham (UK)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-on-the-university-of-buckingham-uk/942932)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-on-the-university-of-buckingham-uk/942932 "2021-05-27T10:49:38Z")
There is a doctorate program I’m interested in at the University of Buckingham. Couple issues though considering I’m American. What is it’s reputation? It is a private non-profit university which seems to be rare in t… --- ## [Flight--high and drunk does not mean manslaughter--general legal question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flight-high-and-drunk-does-not-mean-manslaughter-general-legal-question/942715)
**Author:** [@HughGoply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HughGoply)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flight-high-and-drunk-does-not-mean-manslaughter-general-legal-question/942715 "2021-05-26T23:13:39Z")
Does anyone remember this movie? Denzel Washington is the pilot of a plane that crashes while he is high and drunk, but everyone agrees that he did nothing wrong. In fact, his flying was brilliant and the only thing that… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=277) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=279)