A Mars a Day—Answers

One

The 2015 Ridley Scott film The Martian starring Matt Damon was based on a novel of the same name by what American author?

— Answer: Andy Weir

The Martian, a 2015 sci-fi film directed by Ridley Scott, stars Matt Damon as an astronaut stranded on Mars.

First Martian emerging from the cylinder that had fallen from the sky. Illustration by Henrique Alvim Corrêa for the 1906 edition.
Image Wikipedia

Two

What novel, and who was the author, featuring Mars or Martians also features Horsell Common, near Woking, Surrey?

— Answer: The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells’ science fiction novel, The War of the Worlds, depicts an attempted Martian invasion of Earth. In 1938, Orson Welles’ radio broadcast of the novel caused widespread panic by presenting a Martian invasion as real news. The broadcast’s format and timing led to confusion among the public and outrage among the media.

Gulliver discovers Laputa, the flying island (illustration by J. J. Grandville). Image Wikipedia

Three

On Mars’s largest moon, Phobos, there is a regio, Laputa Regio, which is named after Swift’s Laputa because of his ‘prediction’ of the two then undiscovered Martian moons, which his Laputan astronomers had discovered
— Wikipedia

The above quote from Wikipedia refers to an area on Phobos, the largest Moon of Mars, which is named after the fictional ’Laputa’. From what literary work, first published in 1726, does ‘Laputa’ originate and who was the author of it?

— Answer: Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

Laputa, a flying island from Gulliver’s Travels, is controlled by the king of Balnibarbi using magnetic levitation.

Michael Rennie as Klaatu in *The Day the Earth Stood Still* (1951).
Image Wikipedia

Four

In the 2008 remake of the 1951 film, Keanu Reeves stars as Klaatu. Name the actor who portrayed Klaatu in the original 1951 version and the title of both films?

— Answer: Michael Rennie and The Day the Earth Stood Still

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a sci-fi film with two versions: the 1951 original about an alien and his robot delivering a message during the Cold War, and the 2008 remake starring Keanu Reeves as an alien tasked with saving Earth from environmental harm. Despite negative reviews, the 2008 film was financially successful, grossing over $233 million worldwide.

Five

Who wrote The Martian Chronicles (1950)?

— Answer: Ray Bradbury

The Martian Chronicles explores the consequences of technological advancement and militarism in a future America, addressing concerns about values and direction. It highlights issues like nuclear war, depopulation, racial oppression, and censorship.

Author: Scott F

As a retired trivia writer, editor and quiz compiler, I wholeheartedly agree with Bertrand Russell’s quote: “There’s much pleasure to be gained in useless knowledge.” Trivia of all sorts has always fascinated me, and for many years, I’ve written and compiled trivia for various media, including traditional TV and radio quiz shows, newspapers and magazines, apps, and other digital platforms. View all posts by Scott F