# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=439 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 440 --- ## [When to watch Perseids in 2019?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-watch-perseids-in-2019/837722)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2019, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-watch-perseids-in-2019/837722 "2019-08-07T17:23:09Z")
We live in central Europe and enjoy watching the Perseids each year. According to this, the shower this year will be difficult to see because of the almost full moon. Although the peak is around 12 August, given the cyc… --- ## [Bizarre ceiling fan light behavior.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-ceiling-fan-light-behavior/838206)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-ceiling-fan-light-behavior/838206 "2019-08-07T17:04:00Z")
I’m trying to install LED lights in a ceiling fan. When I do, they come on bright for a split second and then dim to practically be useless. There is no dimmer switch on the lights. The really weird part is that if I rep… --- ## [General Leslie Groves -- First Lieutenant for Fifteen Years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-leslie-groves-first-lieutenant-for-fifteen-years/838267)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2019, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-leslie-groves-first-lieutenant-for-fifteen-years/838267 "2019-08-07T16:07:16Z")
I was looking at the Wikipedia page for General Leslie Groves, the man who oversaw the Manhattan Project for the United States. Groves graduated from West Point early on Nov 1 1918 (World War I caused his class’s traini… --- ## [Ground penetrating weapons - what if they go into water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ground-penetrating-weapons-what-if-they-go-into-water/838162)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ground-penetrating-weapons-what-if-they-go-into-water/838162 "2019-08-07T16:05:33Z")
Suppose that ground-penetrating weapons (such as the bunker buster bombs) designed to go through several feet (or maybe even several dozen feet) of concrete/earth instead are dropped into the ocean. Would they penetrate… --- ## [Is It Technically Possible To Build A "Stealth Car"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-technically-possible-to-build-a-stealth-car/270189)
**Author:** [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2019, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-technically-possible-to-build-a-stealth-car/270189 "2019-08-07T09:26:42Z")
You know, a non radar-reflective one along the lines of stealth aircraft, and would enable the driver to slip past police radar guns. Is this feasible, and what kind of technology would be needed? {Note to Mods: in the e… --- ## [Does predator urine really deter coyotes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-predator-urine-really-deter-coyotes/544688)
**Author:** [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2019, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-predator-urine-really-deter-coyotes/544688 "2019-08-07T06:47:46Z")
Don’t let the weird title fool you – this is a serious problem and I’m desperately looking for an answer. A long backstory and I apologize but it’s necessary. I live in a wooded suburban area in an older subdivision. … --- ## [Pole on Oversize Load pilot car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pole-on-oversize-load-pilot-car/838181)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pole-on-oversize-load-pilot-car/838181 "2019-08-06T18:30:21Z")
On a recent road trip we saw an Oversize Load truck on the freeway. In addition to the very common vehicles that followed the truck with the load, there was a less-common lead car. Well, actually, it may have been a sm… --- ## [Which country has lost most citizens in the high seas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-country-has-lost-most-citizens-in-the-high-seas/838080)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-country-has-lost-most-citizens-in-the-high-seas/838080 "2019-08-06T16:45:55Z")
In the sense that countries as we know of now have existed in the last few hundred years. Let s discount origins as Romans, Vikings, Bretons. Let us restrict ourselves to countries that went to the high seas as nation … --- ## [Wilson's Moss Killer. Problem need help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wilsons-moss-killer-problem-need-help/838214)
**Author:** [@Captain\_S\_itmagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_S_itmagnet)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wilsons-moss-killer-problem-need-help/838214 "2019-08-06T16:36:04Z")
I have contacted the manufacturer but have not heard back yet. This spring I used the product on the lawn. Must have had wind carry the stream onto the house because multiple patches of yellow blotches appeared on the w… --- ## [What would the earth look like after extreme global warming or nuclear warfare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-earth-look-like-after-extreme-global-warming-or-nuclear-warfare/838198)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-earth-look-like-after-extreme-global-warming-or-nuclear-warfare/838198 "2019-08-06T16:04:32Z")
1: With global warming, could the earth get warm enough for nearly all snow and ice to melt? If so, has anyone done a simulation that shows what the earth would look like? 2: If all countries started slugging it out wit… --- ## [Bullet holes in bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullet-holes-in-bone/838163)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bullet-holes-in-bone/838163 "2019-08-06T14:53:43Z")
I’ve just seen this "documentary"on Youtube, analyzing the JFK assassination. It has the premise that when Oswald started shooting, a secret service agent returning fire accidentally discharged his weapon, and shot Kenn… --- ## [Loose fill asbestos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-fill-asbestos/833256)
**Author:** [@Dianna2855](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dianna2855)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-fill-asbestos/833256 "2019-08-06T12:38:21Z")
Hi, New here…found this place looking for info on asbestos and not I can’t find the thread I was looking for so here is a new one. We own a house built in 1915. I think there is loose fill asbestos around a ventilation … --- ## [What chemical odor resembles horse manure or "zoo smell?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-chemical-odor-resembles-horse-manure-or-zoo-smell/837863)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-chemical-odor-resembles-horse-manure-or-zoo-smell/837863 "2019-08-06T12:26:14Z")
So my neighborhood suddenly had/has this odor wafting around that rather strongly resembles the odor of horse manure or the “zoo smell.” Being a pretty urban place, I’m sure there are no horses, elephants or zebras arou… --- ## [So how easy and cheap is it to buy an AR-15 now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-easy-and-cheap-is-it-to-buy-an-ar-15-now/740480)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-easy-and-cheap-is-it-to-buy-an-ar-15-now/740480 "2019-07-04T14:42:16Z")
I keep putting off a purchase, but I’m assuming due to recent events prices have skyrocketed again and availability has tumbled. Say I want an AR-15 clone, something similar to the original military version with iron si… --- ## [Psychological studies or preparation for nuclear decision-making for national leaders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychological-studies-or-preparation-for-nuclear-decision-making-for-national-leaders/819436)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2019, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychological-studies-or-preparation-for-nuclear-decision-making-for-national-leaders/819436 "2019-08-01T07:09:05Z")
I’m aware that if anything in this vein has actually been carried out its probably classified to crazy levels but a discussion in the ‘political gaffes’ thread had me wondering: https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/prin… --- ## [Bathtub safety bars falling off! any way to fix this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathtub-safety-bars-falling-off-any-way-to-fix-this/837830)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathtub-safety-bars-falling-off-any-way-to-fix-this/837830 "2019-08-06T01:52:11Z")
I hope this is the right forum. We bought suction cup bathtub safety grips to put on our acrylic tiled bathtub enclosure. They have some kind of levers you press to make the suction cups ‘stick’. They’re made by jumbL… --- ## [Dealing with an airport update error (time machine/MacBook question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-an-airport-update-error-time-machine-macbook-question/838208)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-an-airport-update-error-time-machine-macbook-question/838208 "2019-08-06T01:48:56Z")
My Macbook is giving me messages that it is not doing time machine updates anymore. I’m not particularly computer-savvy, but I was able to trouble shoot a little, and what I eventually got to was “airport update error -6… --- ## [Identify this spider, please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-spider-please/838175)
**Author:** [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-spider-please/838175 "2019-08-06T00:48:01Z")
This picture was taken in PA. The spider is actually eating a lantern fly. The neighbor who took the picture wants to know the type of spider. I’d like to know, too, as well as finding out if it’s possible to get more of… --- ## [Help me identify my new plants!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-my-new-plants/838165)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-my-new-plants/838165 "2019-08-06T00:07:11Z")
So I thought my room could use a bit more life, and went and bought two plants. Trouble is, they didn’t come with any tag indicating their name, and I didn’t think to ask at the register. Thus, I now have two plants, and… --- ## [Common ancestor of dog, crow and octopus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-ancestor-of-dog-crow-and-octopus/838084)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-ancestor-of-dog-crow-and-octopus/838084 "2019-08-04T20:45:40Z")
I was having a bath and thinking about the intelligence of animals. In particular, I was thinking about how intelligence had evolved in diverse evolutionary lineages, such as dogs, crows and octopuses. Then I wondered wh… --- ## [Are airline flight crews scheduled individually or as a unit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-airline-flight-crews-scheduled-individually-or-as-a-unit/837380)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-airline-flight-crews-scheduled-individually-or-as-a-unit/837380 "2019-08-04T16:54:01Z")
Modern airliners require two people to operate – a Captain and First Officer. Does the captain always work with the same FO or are they just random chance who they’re working with on any particular flight? Do airlines … --- ## [Using small explosions to enable military submarine to make getaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-small-explosions-to-enable-military-submarine-to-make-getaway/834529)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-small-explosions-to-enable-military-submarine-to-make-getaway/834529 "2019-08-04T16:47:58Z")
I read today that during World War II, depth-charging often carried a drawback which was that the turbulence caused by the underwater explosions made sonar effectively useless for up to 15 minutes after the charges went … --- ## [Internal affairs police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internal-affairs-police/838078)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2019, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internal-affairs-police/838078 "2019-08-04T13:19:39Z")
I’ve seen some TV shows where they imply that a cop might be forced to join internal affairs bureau (IAB) because they did something wrong. The choice is join IAB or lose your job. Is that true in real life? (int… --- ## [What was the economic policy debate behind Free Silver vs Gold in US 1890s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-economic-policy-debate-behind-free-silver-vs-gold-in-us-1890s/810903)
**Author:** [@hat\_trick\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hat_trick_1)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2019, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-economic-policy-debate-behind-free-silver-vs-gold-in-us-1890s/810903 "2019-08-04T12:42:58Z")
Based on modern economic understanding, and not the rhetoric of the era, what were the economic policy debates behind the Free Silver movement and its opponents? Would the policy that the Free Silver movement folks (lar… --- ## [Question about reduced efficacy of partial agonists.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-reduced-efficacy-of-partial-agonists/838119)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2019, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-reduced-efficacy-of-partial-agonists/838119 "2019-08-04T10:01:12Z")
I’m not up on molecular biology - just a little interested in how drugs work- and I’m curious how a partial agonist reduces efficiacy. I’m sure there’s thousands of different ways depending on what pathways and proteins… --- ## [Do your hands eventually get used to riding a bicycle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-your-hands-eventually-get-used-to-riding-a-bicycle/838025)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2019, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-your-hands-eventually-get-used-to-riding-a-bicycle/838025 "2019-08-04T04:02:03Z")
I only ride my bicycle occasionally, and when I do, my hands start to go numb after about 45 minutes (+ or -) due to the type of bike where I have to lean forward with straight arms and a bit of weight on the handlebars. … --- ## [The evolution of electric plugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evolution-of-electric-plugs/838121)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2019, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evolution-of-electric-plugs/838121 "2019-08-04T02:01:45Z")
I am just curious what is behind the following evolution. When I was growing up in the 40s, all plugs consisted of, AFAIK, two identical prongs. The house I lived in until recently was built in 1942 and none of the soc… --- ## [Watching the Apollo 11 moon landing through a telescope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-the-apollo-11-moon-landing-through-a-telescope/838118)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-the-apollo-11-moon-landing-through-a-telescope/838118 "2019-08-03T21:12:49Z")
In a conversation on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing I spoke to someone who stated that as a child he had watched the event through a telescope at home. And I’ve just read an article stating that Pope Paul VI al… --- ## [Closesness of our Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closesness-of-our-moon/838006)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closesness-of-our-moon/838006 "2019-08-03T19:30:32Z")
Just read this great book called Bad Astronomy, a chapter of which deals with eclipses. The author says its a coincidence of time that the moon and sun look the same size from Earth. he says the moon is receding. So in t… --- ## [What's this accent? Is it a native English speaker or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-accent-is-it-a-native-english-speaker-or-not/837377)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-accent-is-it-a-native-english-speaker-or-not/837377 "2019-08-03T17:31:24Z")
1:57 in this video, where a narrator says “Long Beach has a reputation of being extremely challenging” and then continues. It’s American-sounding English with a subtly unusual inflection and some odd nuances in the word… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=438) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=440)