# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=409 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 410 --- ## [Was Stonehenge built inside a settlement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-stonehenge-built-inside-a-settlement/843816)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2019, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-stonehenge-built-inside-a-settlement/843816 "2019-11-23T21:10:32Z")
Stonehenge is currently in the middle of nowhere on the A303 road. Today someone claimed that when it was built, it was in the middle of a settlement. Googling is inconclusive. --- ## [Jet aircraft: how much thrust can you get from an engine afflicted with compressor stall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-aircraft-how-much-thrust-can-you-get-from-an-engine-afflicted-with-compressor-stall/843815)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-aircraft-how-much-thrust-can-you-get-from-an-engine-afflicted-with-compressor-stall/843815 "2019-11-23T17:02:10Z")
A Boeing 777 was in the news yesterday for exhibiting compressor stall in one engine that compelled an emergency landing. There is video footage of this plane from the ground and from inside it, showing bursts of flame… --- ## [Electric Vehicle range in the book 'The Martian' reasonable distances per day (sol)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-vehicle-range-in-the-book-the-martian-reasonable-distances-per-day-sol/843871)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-vehicle-range-in-the-book-the-martian-reasonable-distances-per-day-sol/843871 "2019-11-23T16:36:31Z")
An offshoot of the solar panels on the EV thread. While related somewhat it appears perhaps to deserve it’s own thread. In the book ‘The Martian’ the character gets to run a electric vehicle which towed another one qui… --- ## [What is the origin of chili pepper lights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-chili-pepper-lights/843843)
**Author:** [@agoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agoid)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2019, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-chili-pepper-lights/843843 "2019-11-23T11:23:32Z")
My family has draped the house in these come Christmastime for as long as I can remember. Where did they come from, and how did they come to be associated with the holiday season? My best guess is that peppers used to be… --- ## [Does a big mug of tea have more caffeine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-big-mug-of-tea-have-more-caffeine/843808)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2019, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-big-mug-of-tea-have-more-caffeine/843808 "2019-11-23T03:13:01Z")
I was making myself some black tea this afternoon, and I looked down at my enormous (like 20 oz) mug and thought, “Yikes, if I drink this much tea I won’t be able to sleep. I should get a smaller mug for work.” But then… --- ## [Trying to understand YouTube monetization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-understand-youtube-monetization/843849)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2019, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-understand-youtube-monetization/843849 "2019-11-23T01:58:50Z")
Can “CJ and RINA” make money posting a video of them watching a George Carlin video (that I’m assuming can be used under Fair use)? I didn’t see any ads. --- ## [What is the purpose of these specific rolltop desk drawers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-these-specific-rolltop-desk-drawers/843827)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2019, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-these-specific-rolltop-desk-drawers/843827 "2019-11-23T01:31:46Z")
Specifically, small roughly 3" square-shaped drawers that are partially enclosed on top, while the sides curve down towards the back, all the way down to nothing. You can see one in this video at around the 2:12 mark. I… --- ## [Force required to open a louvered vent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/force-required-to-open-a-louvered-vent/843824)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/force-required-to-open-a-louvered-vent/843824 "2019-11-23T01:26:33Z")
Most homes have several such vents for exhaust fans and the clothes dryer. As the air exhausts it swings the vanes upward from their seated position. Something has to provide this force and obviously it is the movement o… --- ## [Geometry problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geometry-problem/843836)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geometry-problem/843836 "2019-11-22T20:50:47Z")
What is the diameter of the smallest circle that can encompass a given set of 2D points? Points may lie on the circle. Can this be done analytically? Looking for a general solution. --- ## [In Australian Professional/Academic Circles, What's A Registrar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-australian-professional-academic-circles-whats-a-registrar/843780)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-australian-professional-academic-circles-whats-a-registrar/843780 "2019-11-22T19:31:05Z")
Been watching a show on Netflix that takes place in Australia. One of the characters, a man of about 30, worked as a doctor’s right-hand-man until the doctor died. The doctor, though he practiced, was equally focused on … --- ## [Historically, how many passengers have died \_on aircraft\_ but not from crash? (Eg, Southwest 1380)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historically-how-many-passengers-have-died-_on-aircraft_-but-not-from-crash-eg-southwest-1380/843792)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historically-how-many-passengers-have-died-_on-aircraft_-but-not-from-crash-eg-southwest-1380/843792 "2019-11-22T19:25:15Z")
Please excuse me, or redirect me, if this has been discussed in its own thread or as part of the threads already posted on last year’s Southhwest 1380 engine failure and depressurization, in which a passenger was partia… --- ## [paternity tests and the rich and famous](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paternity-tests-and-the-rich-and-famous/843782)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paternity-tests-and-the-rich-and-famous/843782 "2019-11-22T18:55:36Z")
Say you are a rich and famous man, and your DNA profile is known to schemers. I read that paternity tests are 99.99 percent accurate, which I interpret to mean that the proportion of people that would be flagged as your… --- ## [Turning off extension cord (vs unplugging it) in lightning storm - any difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-off-extension-cord-vs-unplugging-it-in-lightning-storm-any-difference/843823)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-off-extension-cord-vs-unplugging-it-in-lightning-storm-any-difference/843823 "2019-11-22T18:16:09Z")
Does it provide any protection for laptops, appliances, etc. if you merely turn off an extension cord during a lightning storm (but don’t unplug it), or does only unplugging ensure safety? --- ## [GB Parliament: what's a crossbench peer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gb-parliament-whats-a-crossbench-peer/843784)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gb-parliament-whats-a-crossbench-peer/843784 "2019-11-22T17:33:27Z")
See query. Guy identified as such was, as far as I understand parliamentary representation, associated with Belfast. Come to think of it, I’m not sure now even on “peer…” House of Lords vs MPs, now I need to relearn th… --- ## [Windows 10 explorer centers view on item when selecting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-explorer-centers-view-on-item-when-selecting/843806)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-explorer-centers-view-on-item-when-selecting/843806 "2019-11-22T15:14:36Z")
Since it came out Windows 10 has had this very annoying feature in file explorer. If you click on a file near one edge of the window, it will immediately be centered in the window. This is a problem if you’re trying to d… --- ## [How many of Trump's administration and campaign aids have been convicted currently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-of-trumps-administration-and-campaign-aids-have-been-convicted-currently/843788)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-of-trumps-administration-and-campaign-aids-have-been-convicted-currently/843788 "2019-11-22T12:46:19Z")
I realize it’s a highly charged political topic, but there’s a clear objective non refutable number. I was wondering what it is. --- ## [Do all meteor showers come from the east?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-meteor-showers-come-from-the-east/843809)
**Author:** [@Fish\_Cheer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish_Cheer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-meteor-showers-come-from-the-east/843809 "2019-11-22T12:31:23Z")
I was reading this article about last night’s meteor shower. It points out that “observers should face the eastern sky to see the most meteors”. From what I think I know about the rotation of the earth, the earth’s orbit… --- ## [Stamp prices on eBay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stamp-prices-on-ebay/843652)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stamp-prices-on-ebay/843652 "2019-11-22T05:27:42Z")
US “Forever” stamps sell at the post office for 55 cents apiece. But they are commonly offered on eBay for prices significantly lower than that, as low as 34 cents each. If you include that these sellers are also giving … --- ## [Is anything happening with Frontier Airlines today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anything-happening-with-frontier-airlines-today/843803)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anything-happening-with-frontier-airlines-today/843803 "2019-11-22T04:31:06Z")
Hello Everyone, The wife and I have tickets on Frontier Airlines for a flight in Monday and received an email tonight telling us to call them because there’s been a change in our flight. However, every number we try f… --- ## [Why was i injured so much from Static Electricity????](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-i-injured-so-much-from-static-electricity/843761)
**Author:** [@Bronach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bronach)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2019, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-i-injured-so-much-from-static-electricity/843761 "2019-11-22T01:23:35Z")
In February this year i was at work on a ship. I am a ships cook. I was working with a stainless steel 2 meter high wagon with 50 compartments for food trays of different metal types.I should plast in the complete wago… --- ## [How much control does a person (especially a public figure) have over his/her name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-control-does-a-person-especially-a-public-figure-have-over-his-her-name/843682)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-control-does-a-person-especially-a-public-figure-have-over-his-her-name/843682 "2019-11-21T22:27:28Z")
I know that a person’s name or likeness cannot be used in advertising without consent. A person has a right not to be seen as endorsing a product or business unless he/she wishes to endorse the product or business. But… --- ## [Other nation's equivalent to Air Force One?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-nations-equivalent-to-air-force-one/843790)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-nations-equivalent-to-air-force-one/843790 "2019-11-21T21:19:36Z")
I was recently reading an article about the history of Air Force One, the official long distance transport reserved for use by the President of the United States and his closest staff. While the piece was fascinating to … --- ## [ok how much would the economy shrink if all state and federal assistance stopped](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-much-would-the-economy-shrink-if-all-state-and-federal-assistance-stopped/843571)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-much-would-the-economy-shrink-if-all-state-and-federal-assistance-stopped/843571 "2019-11-21T20:34:27Z")
I was in a discussion a while back about one reason things like SSI and things like cash aid aka AFDC still exists is that if programs like that were totally eliminated the economy wouldnt be able to take the hit as peop… --- ## [Copying only conditional formatting in Excel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-only-conditional-formatting-in-excel/843713)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-only-conditional-formatting-in-excel/843713 "2019-11-21T15:06:36Z")
Here’s a super specific question about Excel! I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of some stuff using only three data points - call them 1, 2, and 3. I have conditional formatting set up so that the cells with a 1 a… --- ## [5 gallons of gasoline verses 15lbs of propane. Which has the higher energy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-gallons-of-gasoline-verses-15lbs-of-propane-which-has-the-higher-energy/843677)
**Author:** [@HaroldDix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HaroldDix)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2019, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-gallons-of-gasoline-verses-15lbs-of-propane-which-has-the-higher-energy/843677 "2019-11-21T12:43:02Z")
This one should be simple for the “DOPE”. Need Answer fast and HI OPAL! --- ## [New phone scam (to me), how’d they do it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-phone-scam-to-me-how-d-they-do-it/843656)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2019, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-phone-scam-to-me-how-d-they-do-it/843656 "2019-11-21T05:12:02Z")
I had a pet name for my wife in my phone. Then I added another entry for “wife”. When she calls me it shows “\/wife”. So yesterday we were sitting in the yard. She had her phone with her and I didn’t. Her phone… --- ## [Spell My Name With An Eth: Why is 'Odin' pronounced like it is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spell-my-name-with-an-eth-why-is-odin-pronounced-like-it-is/625796)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spell-my-name-with-an-eth-why-is-odin-pronounced-like-it-is/625796 "2019-11-20T22:13:57Z")
I’ll just quote from Wikipedia to establish this, but if you don’t already know what I’m talking about I doubt you’ll be able to help: So, through the magic of Unicode, we can see that the first consonant in the name i… --- ## [Whatever happened to Sgt. Pilcher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-sgt-pilcher/843702)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2019, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-sgt-pilcher/843702 "2019-11-20T20:53:10Z")
Norman Pilcher, a detective with London’s Metropolitan Police Service, was notorious in the 1960s for his many high-profile drug busts of celebrities, including members of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. These arres… --- ## [So, about this whole Chicxulub mess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-about-this-whole-chicxulub-mess/842521)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-about-this-whole-chicxulub-mess/842521 "2019-11-20T20:37:59Z")
I recently ran across some interesting stats. The Chicxulub meteor hit the earth at a 27-degree angle … … coming out of the southeast (and going northwest, obviously) … … at about 45,000 mph. That got me to wondering… --- ## [How can there be a glut of oil on the international markets atm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-there-be-a-glut-of-oil-on-the-international-markets-atm/843246)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-there-be-a-glut-of-oil-on-the-international-markets-atm/843246 "2019-11-20T19:07:26Z")
After the Yemeni attack on Saudi production which reportedly cut their output by 50%… Embargo on Iranian oil. Embargo on Venezuelan oil. Libyan problems… And yet the price of oil has dropped and remains stable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=408) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=410)