# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=94 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 95 --- ## [General Solar Eclipse Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-solar-eclipse-question/999837)
**Author:** [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-solar-eclipse-question/999837 "2024-04-11T21:20:14Z")
In looking at the paths of solar eclipses, I’ve noticed that the shape of the moon’s shadow on the Earth changes from an oval/ellipse to a circle and back to an oval/ellipse. See here: My question is: If one is with… --- ## [Any electrical power Dopers here? What is this on the power pole?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-electrical-power-dopers-here-what-is-this-on-the-power-pole/1000123)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-electrical-power-dopers-here-what-is-this-on-the-power-pole/1000123 "2024-04-11T15:41:05Z")
About every eight poles, there was one that had this arrangement of wires- one connected to each power leg, then an insulator, then all connected to (ground?): … --- ## [Looking for President Wilson's "war to end the war' speech to Congress in 1917](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-president-wilsons-war-to-end-the-war-speech-to-congress-in-1917/999983)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-president-wilsons-war-to-end-the-war-speech-to-congress-in-1917/999983 "2024-04-11T15:10:35Z")
I’ve come across references to a speech given by President Wilson to Congress in which he uses the phrase ‘war to end the war’. I have not been able to track it down online. I hope someone can help me with this. --- ## [What's plausibly the most number of total solar eclipses an ancient person could have seen in their lifetime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-plausibly-the-most-number-of-total-solar-eclipses-an-ancient-person-could-have-seen-in-their-lifetime/1000093)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2024, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-plausibly-the-most-number-of-total-solar-eclipses-an-ancient-person-could-have-seen-in-their-lifetime/1000093 "2024-04-11T13:06:53Z")
Let’s set the cutoff as pre-Copernican. Before we had a heliocentric model of the solar system, nevertheless ancient astronomers & mathematicians from various civilizations around the globe were all able to independently… --- ## [Auto burglaries without broken windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-burglaries-without-broken-windows/999892)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-burglaries-without-broken-windows/999892 "2024-04-10T23:46:46Z")
My wife told me some neighbors had their cars broken into and that the alarms were set and no windows were broken. She claimed the thieves had key fobs they used to gain access and rummage through the cars. This sounds… --- ## [Income reporting for filing federal taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-reporting-for-filing-federal-taxes/850197)
**Author:** [@erpa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erpa)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-reporting-for-filing-federal-taxes/850197 "2024-04-10T17:45:28Z")
My daughter worked as an independent contractor for a business doing Henna tattoos at the state fair last year. Her income was $860 over a 4 day period. She did not get a 1099 from the business she contracted with and … --- ## [How Do The Senses Of Other Great Apes Compare To Those Of H Sapiens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-senses-of-other-great-apes-compare-to-those-of-h-sapiens/999981)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-senses-of-other-great-apes-compare-to-those-of-h-sapiens/999981 "2024-04-10T17:32:53Z")
I know that, as regards eyesight, some birds leave us in the dust. Dogs’ sense of smell is exponential stronger than ours. Prey animals (such as deer) can hear us coming from a mile away. And so on. How are the senses … --- ## [Does anyone ever find that they are sometimes blocked from posting any more material on their YouTube channel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-ever-find-that-they-are-sometimes-blocked-from-posting-any-more-material-on-their-youtube-channel/1000102)
**Author:** [@philipdalton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/philipdalton)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-ever-find-that-they-are-sometimes-blocked-from-posting-any-more-material-on-their-youtube-channel/1000102 "2024-04-10T15:41:48Z")
I find this sometimes, when I’ve posted a lot of stuff on there, but it has always been temporary. --- ## [Abandoned car, how can I take possesion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abandoned-car-how-can-i-take-possesion/1000009)
**Author:** [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abandoned-car-how-can-i-take-possesion/1000009 "2024-04-10T13:39:36Z")
I have an assigned parking space next to a car that hasn’t moved in years, has tags from '20 and in covered in dust. Otherwise it’s a brand new car. Obviously I don’t own the parking lot, the apartment complex does. I’m … --- ## [(Not) picking a lock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-picking-a-lock/999688)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-picking-a-lock/999688 "2024-04-10T13:30:44Z")
I understand why a person would want to pick a lock but assume that I need to legally get through a locked door. Just a standard lock like my front door. I jam a big-ass slot screwdriver into the hole and pound it in s… --- ## [Plasticizers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plasticizers/303975)
**Author:** [@hauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hauss)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plasticizers/303975 "2024-04-10T13:17:34Z")
Does putting foods (especially acidic foods) in plastic containers cause a reaction which draws plastics into the food? Is this toxic? I know tomato sauce stains many tupperwares, whose to say it’s only a one way stree… --- ## [Does The Earth Eclipsing The Sun Make For A Spectacular View On The Moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-earth-eclipsing-the-sun-make-for-a-spectacular-view-on-the-moon/1000075)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-earth-eclipsing-the-sun-make-for-a-spectacular-view-on-the-moon/1000075 "2024-04-10T11:57:32Z")
If a human were on the ground (at the right spot) on the Moon when the Earth eclipsed the Sun, would they see anything particularly spectacular? Or would it just look like a sort of hole in space where the Sun used to be… --- ## [How to cite the contents from the UK Parliament online](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-cite-the-contents-from-the-uk-parliament-online/1000086)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-cite-the-contents-from-the-uk-parliament-online/1000086 "2024-04-10T09:37:35Z")
Hi, everyone, I want to cite the following: The purpose of the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent Original purpose The UK’s current strategic nuclear deterrent was developed in the international political and strategi… --- ## [Denizens of Japan: can I get a "signature certificate" notarized in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denizens-of-japan-can-i-get-a-signature-certificate-notarized-in-the-us/1000079)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2024, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denizens-of-japan-can-i-get-a-signature-certificate-notarized-in-the-us/1000079 "2024-04-10T02:52:45Z")
For a real estate purchase in Japan some years ago, my wife and I (both US citizens) had to get a “signature certificate” notarized at the US embassy. The basic form looks like this PDF. It looks like we need to get si… --- ## [What accounts for the trend away from newspaper obits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-accounts-for-the-trend-away-from-newspaper-obits/999819)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-accounts-for-the-trend-away-from-newspaper-obits/999819 "2024-04-09T22:07:18Z")
I’ve noticed our local newspaper often has just a handful of obits, and it’s not unusual to go a day or two between obits listings. Previously, going back several years, there were always obits. Ten would be a rather l… --- ## [What are these old grocery carts called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-old-grocery-carts-called/999883)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-old-grocery-carts-called/999883 "2024-04-09T20:32:00Z")
I was just thinking about the special grocery carts used by bagboys back in the Cretaceous and groceries were in brown paper bags. They were square, upright, and had two layers seperated by a folding shelf. I think they … --- ## [Can an NDA be ignored in court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-nda-be-ignored-in-court/999379)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-nda-be-ignored-in-court/999379 "2024-04-09T19:59:43Z")
Suppose a person signs an NDA. Then, that person is asked to testify in court in a criminal case regarding the acts covered in the NDA. Can the events and acts that were not to be disclosed according to the agreement t… --- ## [Where is this \[location shown in the movie Homegrown\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-this-location-shown-in-the-movie-homegrown/744328)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2024, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-this-location-shown-in-the-movie-homegrown/744328 "2024-04-09T10:37:47Z")
I spent multiple hours on Google Earth spanning the California coast to find this location. From Santa Cruz to Crescent City, CA; It’s too rocky to be too near L.A. and I don’t think filming locations would expand into … --- ## [Would the unfiltered sun destroy a video camera with long lens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-unfiltered-sun-destroy-a-video-camera-with-long-lens/1000021)
**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-unfiltered-sun-destroy-a-video-camera-with-long-lens/1000021 "2024-04-09T04:21:52Z")
So, on Apollo 12, Alan Bean famously destroyed the mission color video camera by inadvertently pointing it at the sun. That camera had a delicate image pickup tube that got obliterated, killing surface video of the missi… --- ## [How do I turn off pop-up news videos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-pop-up-news-videos/1000018)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2024, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-pop-up-news-videos/1000018 "2024-04-09T00:05:05Z")
The past little while, I’ve noticed a very annoying feature on both Chrome and Safari - when I’m browsing a news item in text, a pop-up video often starts with a newsreader reading the same story. I don’t want that. Is… --- ## [Is Thunderbird (email app) still good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thunderbird-email-app-still-good/996972)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2024, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thunderbird-email-app-still-good/996972 "2024-04-08T10:46:37Z")
I have a couple of email accounts that I need to monitor daily. Years ago I used Thunderbird so that all of my emails would be in one place on my computer - one stop shopping. Is Thunderbird still the goto for that or … --- ## [Why does my current propane tank deliver less heat in my grill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-current-propane-tank-deliver-less-heat-in-my-grill/999939)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-current-propane-tank-deliver-less-heat-in-my-grill/999939 "2024-04-07T20:58:01Z")
I’ve Googled this without any real answers. I have a four-burner propane grill. I get my propane tanks filled at Costco. For some reason, my current tank delivers noticeably less heat than prior tanks. Now, for clarity, … --- ## [Why Is viewing an eclipse more dangerous than viewing the sun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-viewing-an-eclipse-more-dangerous-than-viewing-the-sun/999845)
**Author:** [@ZamboniAce1000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZamboniAce1000)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-viewing-an-eclipse-more-dangerous-than-viewing-the-sun/999845 "2024-04-07T17:23:34Z")
Eclipsapalooza is next Monday (4/8/24). Viewing the partial eclipse -the time while the moon only blocks part of the sun - is dangerous to the human eye if seen without protective eyewear. Why is that so? Is viewing the … --- ## [Laymans answer: How does memory work in a computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laymans-answer-how-does-memory-work-in-a-computer/999703)
**Author:** [@Gateway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gateway)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2024, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laymans-answer-how-does-memory-work-in-a-computer/999703 "2024-04-07T14:52:27Z")
Hi, I am getting more and more into computers. One thing I don’t understand is how does memory work. I am not sure my model is correct, but what I understand is this: Everything in a computer involves circuits. Circu… --- ## [Electronically generated contrabass vs instruments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronically-generated-contrabass-vs-instruments/999944)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronically-generated-contrabass-vs-instruments/999944 "2024-04-07T01:55:12Z")
Most contrabass instruments whether strings or brass seem to have trouble producing a tone as opposed to merely a series of pulses. But before you say “well duh, those frequencies ARE a series of pulses” I would like to … --- ## [Hebrew to English translation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hebrew-to-english-translation/999903)
**Author:** [@InfraBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfraBlue)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2024, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hebrew-to-english-translation/999903 "2024-04-06T21:42:01Z")
Here’s another late Friday afternoon Hebrew question. What is the English translation of the Hebrew in the photo linked below? Thank you. --- ## [Question about disparity in carrier shipping pricing for individuals vs business (or why does my return cost so much)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-disparity-in-carrier-shipping-pricing-for-individuals-vs-business-or-why-does-my-return-cost-so-much/999834)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2024, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-disparity-in-carrier-shipping-pricing-for-individuals-vs-business-or-why-does-my-return-cost-so-much/999834 "2024-04-06T21:21:01Z")
I was going to buy a travel foldable massage table from a third party on amazon for $219 and, thankfully, checked return shipping before I did. To return it would have cost $378, confirmed by UPS. The package was 42lbs, … --- ## [Are car manufacturers required to test all seat belt designs, even if the only difference is color?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-car-manufacturers-required-to-test-all-seat-belt-designs-even-if-the-only-difference-is-color/999768)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-car-manufacturers-required-to-test-all-seat-belt-designs-even-if-the-only-difference-is-color/999768 "2024-04-06T17:11:30Z")
I am trying to run down an online rumor based on no factual evidence that car manufacturers (one person mentioned Porsche specifically) have to do crash tests of all seat belt designs, even if the only difference is the … --- ## [Could life form outside of a solar system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-life-form-outside-of-a-solar-system/999780)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2024, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-life-form-outside-of-a-solar-system/999780 "2024-04-06T14:04:01Z")
I was listening to a talk by astrophysicist Dr. Moiya McTier in which she stated that a rouge planet with a moon could harbor life – even create life. Far be it from me, a lowly pobe, to question someone of her caliber … --- ## [In the days leading up to an eclipse, are there predictive, visual indications from the positions of the Sun and moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-days-leading-up-to-an-eclipse-are-there-predictive-visual-indications-from-the-positions-of-the-sun-and-moon/999778)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-days-leading-up-to-an-eclipse-are-there-predictive-visual-indications-from-the-positions-of-the-sun-and-moon/999778 "2024-04-06T00:37:58Z")
Advanced societies knew when an eclipse was coming because they had detailed tracking info for the Sun and moon. That tracking info could let them know about an eclipse years in advance. But if someone didn’t have all th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=93) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=95)