# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=919 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 920 --- ## [What if a space creature hurtled an iPhone at Earth at .25c?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-a-space-creature-hurtled-an-iphone-at-earth-at-25c/752439)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-a-space-creature-hurtled-an-iphone-at-earth-at-25c/752439 "2016-04-18T01:20:28Z")
What would happen if Buck Rogers threw his cell phone at the earth at 1/4 of the speed of light? Science cartoonist Randall Munroe maintains that a baseball traveling at .9c would at ground level would result in fusion, … --- ## [Space x rocket landing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-x-rocket-landing/751612)
**Author:** [@Yersenia\_Pestis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yersenia_Pestis)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-x-rocket-landing/751612 "2016-04-18T01:18:47Z")
((Possibly a stupid question)) Why was space x trying so hard to land on a barge? Is it that much more better than landing on land? Did their rocket split in two - the payload kept going up and the bottom landed? --- ## [How often does has modern commander (US/other) ordered a strike on his own position? (Spetnaz/ISIS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-has-modern-commander-us-other-ordered-a-strike-on-his-own-position-spetnaz-isis/752065)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-has-modern-commander-us-other-ordered-a-strike-on-his-own-position-spetnaz-isis/752065 "2016-04-18T00:35:48Z")
Extraordinary. Moving beyond words. See query: Duty. Honor. Country. -- Transcript of Final Moments of Russian Spetznaz Officer @ AMERICAN DIGEST ETA: Sorry about illiterate title. If a mod drops in, maybe he can fix it… --- ## [What's with all of the gold foil on the Lunar Lander?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-all-of-the-gold-foil-on-the-lunar-lander/752335)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-all-of-the-gold-foil-on-the-lunar-lander/752335 "2016-04-17T20:27:47Z")
Take a look at this picture. There’s gold even on the pads and legs; less so further up. What is the purpose of that? --- ## [Does transcription or translation of fatty acid synthase increase after losing weight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-transcription-or-translation-of-fatty-acid-synthase-increase-after-losing-weight/752462)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-transcription-or-translation-of-fatty-acid-synthase-increase-after-losing-weight/752462 "2016-04-17T19:24:33Z")
People have trouble keeping weight off after a weight loss attempt because metabolism and endocrine hormones change to compel people to gain the weight back. CCK drops, leptin drops, PYY drops, T3 drops, ghrelin increase… --- ## [Unnumbered Vandor Cookie Jar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unnumbered-vandor-cookie-jar/752409)
**Author:** [@DrMemory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrMemory)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unnumbered-vandor-cookie-jar/752409 "2016-04-17T17:09:02Z")
Dear Friends; I have a question for the collectables market. I purchased, new, a number of years ago a Vandor Yellow submarine Cookie Jar. Neither the certificate of authenticity,nor the Cookie jar itself is numbered. … --- ## [Measuring distance in Google Earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-distance-in-google-earth/752412)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-distance-in-google-earth/752412 "2016-04-17T15:33:29Z")
I have push-pins at two locations in Google Earth version 7.1.5.1557 that I downloaded and installed on my MacBook Pro today. I’m told you can measure distances with Google Earth. I click on the little Ruler icon and I… --- ## [Gmail weirdness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gmail-weirdness/752299)
**Author:** [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2016, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gmail-weirdness/752299 "2016-04-17T04:52:21Z")
A few years ago when my wife got an iPad, I set up a Gmail account for her. I can access it on my PC so can let her know if she has any new mail, or delete old emails which she never does. Besides my regular email accou… --- ## [Is the word "Realtor" really trademarked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-word-realtor-really-trademarked/752188)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2016, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-word-realtor-really-trademarked/752188 "2016-04-17T04:48:04Z")
I figured everybody who worked in Realty was a Realtor. If this is true, what do people who don’t work for whatever company owns the trademark call themselves? --- ## [What does "% chance of rain" actually mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-chance-of-rain-actually-mean/752258)
**Author:** [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2016, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-chance-of-rain-actually-mean/752258 "2016-04-17T03:37:59Z")
If I look up an on-line weather forecast (in the UK I tend to use the government Met Office site, but others are similar) I am presented with today’s forecast in 1 hour slots. One of the figures is the probability for ra… --- ## [If someone's head or legs were cut off in a bus crash or similar, sewn on again before burial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someones-head-or-legs-were-cut-off-in-a-bus-crash-or-similar-sewn-on-again-before-burial/752395)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someones-head-or-legs-were-cut-off-in-a-bus-crash-or-similar-sewn-on-again-before-burial/752395 "2016-04-17T00:03:23Z")
I was just wondering if someone was killed in a horror bus crash or a car accident and their head or legs were cut off in the accident if it would be common for them to be sewn on again before burial then or before viewi… --- ## [Satellite pictures for military intelligence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/satellite-pictures-for-military-intelligence/751129)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/satellite-pictures-for-military-intelligence/751129 "2016-04-16T23:29:19Z")
I know the pictures can be very good now, but how can they tell what is going on inside a building? I often wonder if they also have assets on the ground that help fill in the details but of course they cannot rev… --- ## [Is it better to stream on my phone or tablet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-better-to-stream-on-my-phone-or-tablet/751611)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-better-to-stream-on-my-phone-or-tablet/751611 "2016-04-16T22:42:14Z")
I will be away from wifi tomorrow with lots of spare time on my hands. I may want to watch a movie or program on Netflix. I have an iPhone 6 and an AmazonFire, both armed with the Netflix app. Here is my issue. I wou… --- ## [What is the name for this process of viewing injustice and crime through a socioeconomic lens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this-process-of-viewing-injustice-and-crime-through-a-socioeconomic-lens/752316)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this-process-of-viewing-injustice-and-crime-through-a-socioeconomic-lens/752316 "2016-04-16T20:23:52Z")
So assume you have two groups of people, a group of people who feel the current socio-economic system (SES) is unjust, and a group who feel the current SES is just. Basically liberals and conservatives. Within the SES so… --- ## [MS Outlook Receiving Slowly On Desktop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-outlook-receiving-slowly-on-desktop/752382)
**Author:** [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-outlook-receiving-slowly-on-desktop/752382 "2016-04-16T20:12:56Z")
My computer at home is currently getting emails about 5-10 minutes after my phone does. Is there a way to fix this? Win 10 MS Office 2010 MAPI --- ## [Machinery question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinery-question/752325)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinery-question/752325 "2016-04-16T20:03:07Z")
I am converting my 6’ joiner/planer into a 6" drum sander. The drum will be mounted above the base as opposed to the present cutters mounted under the base. The existing motor takes 20,000 cuts per minute with a 2 blade … --- ## [Does carbonated water weigh more or less or the same?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-carbonated-water-weigh-more-or-less-or-the-same/752220)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-carbonated-water-weigh-more-or-less-or-the-same/752220 "2016-04-16T19:17:05Z")
Water in this scenario = miraculously pure H2O. No atmospheric gas dissolved in it. Assume maximum amount of gas is dissolved in the water 2-liter bottle of carbonated water (not gassing off–no bubbles) 2-liter bottle… --- ## [Technical questions: '94 Mercedes C280](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-questions-94-mercedes-c280/742900)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-questions-94-mercedes-c280/742900 "2016-04-16T18:53:48Z")
I am buying one of these–long story how I got this kind of car–and I have some questions, about how to operate some controls. I downloaded the Owner’s Manual, which doesn’t always help. (It was the only book missing from… --- ## [A Couple of Questions About the Speed of Light.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-the-speed-of-light/752057)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2016, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-the-speed-of-light/752057 "2016-04-16T17:55:29Z")
Just a couple of questions about Einstein’s famous laws, involving the speed of light specifically. As we all know (or most of us do, in any event), if matter were to go the speed of light three things would happen. Tim… --- ## [Mercury spacesuits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mercury-spacesuits/752326)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2016, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mercury-spacesuits/752326 "2016-04-16T04:40:55Z")
Hello Everyone, I spent this evening watching The Right Stuff again. On the astronauts spacesuits there seems to be a mirrored disc on their chestplates. What is this for? --- ## [McDonalds Monopoly pcs are winners clearly marked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-monopoly-pcs-are-winners-clearly-marked/751858)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-monopoly-pcs-are-winners-clearly-marked/751858 "2016-04-15T22:17:10Z")
McDonalds is running it’s Monopoly games again. As someone who is unlikely to actually eat there more than once during the game it’s not like I’d acquire very many game pieces. The instant winners and such are pretty cle… --- ## [Child's game Probability Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childs-game-probability-question/752236)
**Author:** [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childs-game-probability-question/752236 "2016-04-15T21:09:26Z")
My kids enjoy playing a co-operative game called Erster Obstergarten (‘My first orchard’). The game is very simple, there are four trees, each with four pieces of fruit (red apples, green apples, blue plums and yellow p… --- ## [What would the population be if there was no war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-population-be-if-there-was-no-war/752081)
**Author:** [@Karen\_X2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_X2)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-population-be-if-there-was-no-war/752081 "2016-04-15T20:33:04Z")
Let’s assume that that everyone in the world got along peacefully from the beginning of time. Would the earth be over saturated with people? Would we have used up all of our natural resources long ago? I’m thinking of al… --- ## [How horrible was it to be killed by Mount St. Helens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-horrible-was-it-to-be-killed-by-mount-st-helens/751975)
**Author:** [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-horrible-was-it-to-be-killed-by-mount-st-helens/751975 "2016-04-15T20:14:57Z")
For a long time, because he was the famous holdout, I thought that Harry “I’m not leaving” Truman was the only person killed when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. Turns out that about 57 people died that day. My questi… --- ## [Erasers on pencils](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erasers-on-pencils/750624)
**Author:** [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erasers-on-pencils/750624 "2016-04-15T19:25:38Z")
Not sure if this is really a GQ but we’ll try it here. Today’s Writer’s Almanac had the following: On this day in 1858, Hymen Lipman of Philadelphia patented the first pencil to have an attached eraser. The eraser-tipp… --- ## [Hawking radiation is new space time ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawking-radiation-is-new-space-time/752164)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawking-radiation-is-new-space-time/752164 "2016-04-15T18:16:04Z")
If I understand correctly, some black holes “evaporate” over time by releasing Hawking radiation back to the universe. Also if I understand correctly, the background radiation is the same everywhere in the universe sinc… --- ## [Has anyone ever attacked the physical internet as an act of war or terrorism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-attacked-the-physical-internet-as-an-act-of-war-or-terrorism/751861)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-attacked-the-physical-internet-as-an-act-of-war-or-terrorism/751861 "2016-04-15T17:20:55Z")
In the end, the internet is made up, in large part, of actual wires. There are ‘nodes’, like where the Trans Atlantic cables come ashore, that are huge vulnerabilities. Has anyone ever shut down the internet of their op… --- ## [Google Chrome on Windows 8](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-chrome-on-windows-8/752276)
**Author:** [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-chrome-on-windows-8/752276 "2016-04-15T17:07:33Z")
At work recently, my computer was upgraded to include a faster processor, more memory, and a larger hard drive. Oh, and Windows 8. Earlier, I had switched from IE to Chrome, because IE would not play videos. Now, howe… --- ## [How much CO2 does a tree absorb in a day ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-co2-does-a-tree-absorb-in-a-day/751546)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-co2-does-a-tree-absorb-in-a-day/751546 "2016-04-15T16:47:39Z")
So at various places on the web : A single mature tree can absorb carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 lbs./year. cite A tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. cite I cannot find the original publi… --- ## [Other objects in this picture of Andromeda](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-objects-in-this-picture-of-andromeda/750843)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2016, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-objects-in-this-picture-of-andromeda/750843 "2016-04-04T08:45:34Z")
I’d really appreciate it if someone could identify the other bright objects in this picture of Andromeda. If we imagine the centre of Andromeda as the centre of a clock, I’m most interested in: the bright blue object … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=918) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=920)